Contact person for church music at the castle church
Castle Church Cantor KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch
Telephone: 03491-5069-315
eMail:
Introduction by KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch → Musical (un)retirement at the Wittenberg Castle Church
Philipp Spielmann, Director of Studies and Castle Church Cantor
Telephone: 03491-5069-314
Email:
Church Music Ensembles of the Castle Church
The choirs and instrumental ensembles of the Castle Church give witness to a spirited faith life of the church in worhsip and concerts through word and music. They invite visitors from near and far to take part in this spirit. A wide array of musical expressions, from traditional to contemporary, can be heard in the performances of the Schola Cantorum Adam Rener, the Gospel Choir, the Handbell Choir and the Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church.
Schola Cantorum Adam Rener
The choir takes its name from Adam Rener (c. 1482–1520), the court Kapellmeister who served under Frederick the Wise. As a liturgical chamber choir, the Schola performs at church services and Evensongs, with a particular focus on a cappella repertoire. Programs featuring collaborations with orchestras and soloists add a special dimension to their work. Following the long-standing leadership of Sarah Herzer and Thomas Herzer, Ulrich Hirtzbruch took over as director in November 2024.
With the cantata concert on May 16, 2026, Ulrich Hirtzbruch handed over direction of the Schola to Schlosskirche Cantor Philipp Spielmann. Moving forward, the Schola will rehearse every other Tuesday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Predigerseminar auditorium.
Director: Schlosskirche Cantor Philipp Spielmann • Contact:
Gospelchor der Schlosskirche
Going 60 members strong, the Gospel Choir is the largest ensemble of the Castle Church and outfitted in „Gospel Choir purple“ not to be overlooked! The Gospel Choir has specialized in traditional gospel music and spirituals as well as new gospel music from the United States. Through its two choir tours to the United States, giving many concerts and taking part in workshops, the choir has grown immensely. In Wittenberg and the surrounding area, they lead worship and give concerts in various settings.
With around 60 members, the Gospel Choir is the largest ensemble at the Castle Church and is instantly recognizable as a "purple wave"! The choir focuses particularly on traditional gospel songs and spirituals, as well as contemporary gospel music from the USA. Two concert tours to the USA—featuring numerous performances and workshops—have helped the choir grow into a significant musical force. The choir performs at a wide variety of church services and concerts in Wittenberg and the surrounding region.
The Castle Church Gospel Choir headed into its summer break following its concert on June 20, 2026. Rehearsals will resume with a weekend session at the State Music Academy in Sondershausen from September 11 to 13, 2026; this weekend concludes with a gospel concert at St. Andrew’s Church in Eisleben on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., marking "Open Monument Day." Afterward, the choir will begin its regular rehearsal schedule: generally every other Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Preachers' Seminary (*Predigerseminar*).
Director: Castle Church Cantor KMD Ulrich Hirtzbruch • eMail:
www.wittenberger-gospelchor.de
Handbell Ensemble of the Castle Church
Through the initiative of a Handbell Choir in California and the generosity of a Lutheran congregation in California, the Castle Church was able to found its own Handbell ensemble in 2011. Handbells - well-known instruments in the United States - are played in a „choir“. Each player has 2-4 bells to play. The now 12 players of our ensemble play these special instruments with joy and add that special touch to worship and concerts.
Rehearsals take place every Wednesday at the Christine Bourbeck House from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Director: Lukas Schulze (
Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church
The Brass Ensemble of the Castle Church adds a fresh sound to hymn accompaniments and worship music in its unique instrumentation – from trumpets and trombones to saxophones. They can be heard in festal worship services - such as the reformation day service – as well as in concerts and at festivals in and around the Castle Church. Rehearsals by appointment!
Ensemble Director: Klaus Vogelsang (
The organs of the Castle Church
The historic Ladegast organ built in 1863 can be found in the rear balcony. A complete modernisation of this romantic instrument in 1935 including the addition of an electro-pneumatic system and the addition of some new ranks, was not of lasting quality. In 1994 a complete restoration of the instrument and the addition of the third manual was carried out by the organ building company Eule from Bautzen. The organ now has a moveable console, a new electric action, 2 manuals and pedal, 18 ranks and 1400 pipes. The installation work in 2016 was also done by Schuke of Potsdam.
>> Disposition of the Ladegast organ (PDF-Document)
Clips
>> Rudnick - Bach - 1. Satz - Maestoso
The chancel organ was originally built in 1965 by the organ building company Schuke of Potsdam and had its place in the great hall of the Protestant Preaching Seminary. Due to the move of the Seminary into the Castle building, the organ was moved and installed behind the choir stalls in the Castle Church in 2016. The organ now has a moveable console, a new electric action, 2 manuals and pedal, 16 ranks and 1111 pipes! The installation work in 2016 was also done by Schuke of Potsdam.
>> Disposition of the chancel organ (Schuke, Potsdam) - (PDF-Document)
Clips