Music

The cultural heritage of music in Potsdam is strongly linked to the people and history of the city. Kings and emperors, the military and artists from all over the world influenced the culture and music of Potsdam. To this day Potsdam is a center of classical music, with choirs, an orchestra, open air concerts, world-famous concert halls and impressive major events at historical locations. The excellent German Film Orchestra Babelsberg is the only professional orchestra for film music in Germany. The Music Festival Potsdam Sanssouci presents outstanding international artists in the sumptuous rooms of the Hohenzollern palaces – in the Marble Palace or in the Palm Hall of the Orangery Palace in the New Garden, in Raffael Hall of the Orangery Palace Sanssouci or in the ballroom of the Babelsberg Palace.

The Nikolai Concert Hall provides architecturally exciting programs full of contrast and variety. Since 2001 the internationally successful Chamber Academy Potsdam has been the home orchestra of the concert and event hall of the state capital Potsdam. Instrumental and choir performances in the churches of Potsdam are also unique experiences. Some examples are the International Organ Summer, Bach Days and the vocal week Vocalise. City choral life began in 1814 with the foundation of the ‘Choral Society for Classical Music’, from which the Singakademie Potsdam and the oratorio choir evolved.

Young musicians have the opportunity to participate in arranging and implementing a diverse program in the youth symphony orchestra of the Municipal Music School ‘Johann-Sebastian-Bach’. The marching show band SG Fanfarenzug Potsdam e. V. has established its reputation worldwide. Today altogether around 100 buglers and drummers between the ages of 8 and 40 belong to the internationally famous band.

The cultural venue Waschhaus located in the culture and business district Schiffbauergasse has established itself nationally as a center of art  and culture. Besides internationally famous musicians and bands, the complex also offers a platform for young talent. The youth and family center Lindenpark is one of the biggest social-cultural centers in the State of Brandenburg. Concerts and parties, big festivals, open air events, theater and comedy productions are held in the main building in Babelsberg, across from the Film Park Babelsberg.