June 22 – 28, 2026 | Philharmonie Berlin, Kammermusiksaal
Music, History, and Inspiration
Experience an unforgettable musical journey through Berlin, diving deep into Felix Mendelssohn’s choral masterpiece ELIAS. This unique choir masterclass blends high-level musical training with cultural exploration.
Exclusive learning and performing opportunity
in one of the best concert halls in the world
Would you like to sing with us?
The academy program is designed for experienced choirs and ensembles as well as individual participants who are eager to refine their skills, deepen their musical understanding, and explore the historical context of Mendelssohn’s work.
Registrations are now open.
Read more and join us today!
What do we sing?
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdys oratorio ELIAS, Op. 70 MWV A 25. The rehearsals will take place in English, but the oratorio will be sung in German.
We will use the vocal score of the Edition Peters (EP11347)
The participating choirs and ensembles will also have the opportunity to present their own repertoire in various concerts during the project.
Who will lead the project?
The project is led by Dr. Kent Hatteberg Director of Choral Activities at the University of Louisville.
Where will rehearsals and concerts take place?
The concert of the academy will take place in the beautiful Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie Berlin and will be part of the official program of the Philharmonie.
The venues for the rehearsals will be in Berlin-Schöneberg:
22.-24.06.
Baptistengemeinde Schöneberg
Hauptstr. 125 a
25. & 26.06.
Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche Schöneberg
Hauptstr. 46-48
What costs are involved?
The participation fee for the academy is EUR 295.00 per participant.
The fee includes the academy program, sectional rehearsals, language coach, lectures, guided tours as listed in the schedule, welcoming lunch and the farewell dinner after the concert.
Non-performing accompanying persons are offered a reduced participation fee of EUR 195.00 per person that includes access to all rehearsals and a concert ticket in the best category for all concerts of the festival including the concert at the Philharmonie Berlin.
Accompanying persons, friends and fans that wish to attend only the concerts can purchase concert tickets in our ticket website.
Where can I find accommodation?
For this project, we have selected several hotels near the Philharmonie that offer special rates for participants. You can find the offers here.
Mendelssohn Choral Academy
Music, History, and Inspiration at the Philharmonie Berlin
Perform with us!
The schedule of the project
June 22, 2026
Welcoming Lunch (included)
12:00 Indian or
from 14:30 Singer Registration at Baptistengemeinde
Choir & Piano Rehearsal
venue: Baptistengemeinde Schöneberg, church room
15:00 – 17:30 All participants
Sectional Rehearsals
18:30 – 21:00 In four groups for sopranos, altos, tenors, basses
church room, Rooms 4-6
June 23, 2026
Guided Tour: Mendelssohn Remise & Gendarmenmarkt
Meeting point: Courtyard of Mendelssohn-Remise
Jägerstraße 51
Group 1 (ENGLISH GROUP) & Group 2: 10:00
Group 3 & 4 : 11:00
Sectional Rehearsals
Baptistengemeinde
15:00 – 17:30 In four groups for sopranos, altos, tenors, basses
Sectional Rehearsals
18:30 – 21:00 In two groups for sopranos & altos and for tenors & basses
June 24, 2026
Guided Tour: Mendelssohn Family Grave & Exhibition Chapel
Meeting point: Main entrance, Friedhöfe vor dem Halleschen Tor, Mehringdamm
Groups 1 (ENGLISH GROUP) & Group 2: 10:00
Groups 3 & 4: 11:00 AM
Choir & Piano Rehearsal
Baptistengemeinde
15:00 – 17:30 All participants
Sectional Rehearsals
18:30 – 21:00 In two groups for sopranos & altos and for tenors & basses
June 25, 2026
Lecture (venue tbd)
11:00-12:00 Mendelsohn & Berlin
by Kent Hatteberg
Choir & Piano Rehearsal
15:00 – 17:30 All participants
Tutti Rehearsal
18:30 – 21:00 All participants + orchestra
June 26, 2026
Stage Rehearsal
Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie Berlin
from 09:30 entrance through audience entrance
09:45 Warm-Up
10:00 – 13:00 Rehearsal All participants + soloists + orchestra
Rehearsal for Corrections:
Paul-Gerhardt-Kirche
15:00 – 17:00 All participants + orchestra
Visit: Concert of the Fringe Program
20:00 Gustav-Adolf-Kirche
OR
21:00 Luisenkirche
June 27, 2026
Warm-up and Stage Rehearsal
13:30 Entrance through Audience Entrance
Leave coats, bags at Audience Cloakroom
14:00-14:30 Warm Up
Final Concert
15:00 Final Concert at the Kammermusiksaal of the Philharmonie Berlin
Dinner (included)
19:00 Joint dinner with all participants: Buffet at Lindenbräu,
10 min Walk from Philharmonie
June 28, 2026
for those who want:
SingGarden (Location change)
10:00 – 12:00 Neulich Biergarten at Flughafen Tempelhof
Open Air Singing for Fun and the musical “Farewell Symphony” of the project
(Together with the participants of the Berlin Loves You Festival)
Concert Recommendation:
20:00 MAGNIFICAT
St. Matthäuskirche (Matthäikirchplatz)
The Cardinal Singers sing Bachs Magnificat
Academy Leader
Dr. Kent Hatteberg (Academy Leader and Principal Conductor)
Dr. Kent Hatteberg is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Louisville, where he leads the Collegiate Chorale and Cardinal Singers and oversees the choral conducting program. A Fulbright Scholar, he studied Mendelssohn’s early works in Berlin and conducted the world premiere of Mendelssohn’s Gloria in 1997. Dr. Hatteberg has guest-conducted internationally, including with the Nederlands Kamerkoor, and founded the Louisville Chamber Choir in 2013. Under his direction, the University of Louisville choirs have performed at major conventions and international festivals across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Take the stage with us
Register today
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any question or comments.