Martin is one of the most popular, versatile and successful German choir conductors and combines artistic practice and academic teaching on a high level. After many years in service as Music Director of Würzburg Cathedral and Professor in Choral pedagogy at the Robert-Schumann-Musikhochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany, Martin has accepted an appointment to come to Stellenbosch University in 2013.
Martin studied in Düsseldorf and Saarbrücken and (post)graduated in church music, music education, musicology, German literature and choral conducting. Master classes and artistic collaborations (eg. with Eric Ericson, Anders Eby, Gary Graden) introduced him to the major Scandinavian choir directors who influenced his approach to choral music in a significant way.
During his time as Director of Music at Würzburg Cathedral (2002 – 2013), he developed the Cathedral music to one of the foremost institutions of its kind in Germany. As a Professor in choral pedagogy at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf from 2008-2013, he developed and taught modern teaching techniques of choral music.
A particular focus of his work is in the field of contemporary and early music.
Martin was awarded numerous times for his achievements. With the chamber choir he founded at Würzburg Cathedral, he won the international choral competitions in Malta (2007) and the prestigious Schubert competition in Vienna (2008).
Martin is in great international demand as a guest-conductor, master class-leader, guest lecturer, adjudicator and scholar. Concert tours, guest lectures and master classes have taken him regularly to almost all European countries, Australia, China, many African countries and the United States.
Since April 2013 he teaches at Stellenbosch University where he is developing a new concept for the choral conducting training, and is also the Head of the newly created Unit for Early Music.
He has recently been appointed visiting guest lecturer at the Ludwig Maximilian University’s Institute for Music Education in Munich and serves as an advisor for the World Youth and Children Choral Artists’ Association (WYCCAA).
For more information about Martin see: www.martinberger.eu
More information about Choral Conducting at SU: https://www.facebook.com/Choral-Conducting-at-Stellenbosch-University-432956236798449/?fref=ts
PUBLICATIONS
Berger, M. 2015. Nkosi sikelel’ iAfrika – Südafrika 20 Jahre nach Ende der Apartheid. Lehrer und Schule heute – Zeitschrift des Saarländischen Lehrerinnen und Lehrerverbandes, 66(5), May: 94-97. (ISSN 2190-5878)
Albrecht, C. & Berger, M. 2013. Todesnachrichten – Siegfried Koesler (1937-2012), Domkapellmeister in Würzburg von 1971 – 2002. Musik & Liturgie, 138(1), 49. (ISSN 1420-5409)
Sperling, O., Berger, M., Kiefer, T., Leenen, F., Schnell, J., Sichler-Karle, G. (eds). 2011. Singen von Gottes Wegen – Chorbuch Pueri Cantores III. Stuttgart: Carus-Verlag.
Berger, M. 2010. Architektur des Klanges – Die neuen Räume der Würzburger Dommusik, in J. Lenssen (ed). Architektur der Gegenwart in der Diözese Würzburg. Würzburg: Bau- und Kunstreferat der Diözese. 44-45
Gabriel, T. & Berger, M. 2006. Cantemus in viis Domini für Solostimme, Chor SATB, Oboe, Sopransaxophon, Fagott, Trompete in C, Posaune, Pauken, Vibraphon, 2 Violinen, Viola, Violoncello, Kontrabass und Rhythmusgruppe. Stuttgart: Carus-Verlag
Strauß-König, R. & Berger, M. 2002. Zeige uns den Weg für Chor SATB und Klavier. in: Chorbuch Unterwegs. München: Strube-Verlag
Strauß-König, R. & Berger, M. 2002. Zeige uns den Weg für Chor SATB und Klavier. in: Chorbuch Unterwegs. München: Strube-Verlag
Jansens, P. & Berger, M. 2002. Mit Maria preist den Herren für Chor SATB und Klavier. in: Chorbuch Unterwegs. München: Strube-Verlag
Stimmer-Salzeder, K., Reuß, A. & Berger, M. 2002. Wenn wir unsre Gaben bringen für Chor SATB und Klavier. in: Chorbuch Unterwegs. München: Strube-Verlag