Windsbach Boys Choir
Distinguished pure and unique sound
Despite its quite young history, the Windsbach Boys Choir belongs to the leading boys choirs in Germany.
The Windsbach Boys´ Choir was founded in 1946 by Hans Thamm and began by performing throughout the region and in local church services. Karl-Friedrich Beringer, who became the choir´s second conductor in 1978, set his sights on expanding the choir´s audience. Over the span of three decades, the choir blossomed into a highly esteemed vocal ensemble, both nationally and internationally, performing with such orchestras as the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Bamberger Symphoniker, and the Freiburger Barockorchester. With its numerous CD recordings, television and radio broadcasts, and frequent invitations to important music festivals, the choir maintains a superior reputation within the professional choral music scene. Since 2012, the choir´s third and current Artistic Director, Martin Lehmann, has focused on cultivating a distinctive "Windsbacher Sound" that is pristine, dynamic, and intensive. As a musical and cultural ambassador representing Franconia and the Lutheran Church in Bavaria, the Windsbach Boys´ Choir performs regularly throughout Europe, and has toured internationally to Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the People´s Republic of China, North and South America, Israel and Australia.
The choir´s focus under the leadership of Artistic Director Martin Lehmann is on early to modern a cappella sacred music repertoire, as well as the great oratorios by Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg-Friedrich Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and Johannes Brahms. Martin Lehmann´s passion for arranging concert programs with utmost precision ensures a wide range of works from local, German national and international composers. This trait defines his unique artistic style. With a keen instinct, Lehmann welcomes new challenges and engages in innovative projects, such as the choir´s latest CD release (2019), which is a collaboration with the percussionist Simone Rubino. The album, Water and Spirit, combines sacred choral music with percussion in stunning and surprising ways.
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The Windsbacher Knabenchor is comprised of approximately 120 boys and young men, aged 9-19 years, who make up the SATB choir with Soprano, Alto, Tenor, and Bass voices. Every year, the choir recruits new young and talented singers, who usually apply during the transition from 4th to 5th grade. Vocal training, instrumental instruction, and a well-rounded education are offered by the choir´s boarding school in Windsbach. The musical and academic institution Windsbacher Knabenchor is funded by public and church subsidies, as well as through the generosity of private donors.
Over 70 staff members work together for the sake of the choir to ensure an optimal living and learning environment in Windsbach for each singer. The team is comprised of music teachers, social educators/house supervisors, housekeeping staff, and administrative and management staff.
Musical Staff
Martin Lehmann is the choir´s conductor and Artistic Director. In 2012 he succeeded Karl-Friedrich Beringer. Formerly a member of the Dresden Kreuzchor, one of Germany´s oldest boy´s choirs, he went on to study choral conducting with Hans-Christoph Rademann at the Carl-Maria von Weber conservatory in Dresden. He completed the advanced degree in choral and orchestral conducting with "high honors" and has conducted several vocal ensembles. Under Martin Lehmann´s artistic direction, the choir has been awarded numerous prizes at choral competitions and regularly collaborates with internationally renowned orchestras. These honors testify to Martin Lehmann´s outstanding leadership up to this day.
Left to right: Alexander Rebetge (Assisant to conductor and voice trainer), Silke Schrape (voice trainer), Martin Lehmann (conductor and voice trainer), Christine Mittermaier (voice trainer), Lukas Baumann (conductor preparation choir),
Thomas Miederer, Director boarding school
Stefan Queißer, Managing Director
Windsbach Boys' Choir is grateful for the continued support and partnership of its grantors and sponsors. Generations of boys and their families have benefited from the gifts of funds and guidance received from:
Grant donors
Patrons and supporters