Music For Everyone : Germany

More than 300,000 people earn their living as composers, performing artists, music teachers and as specialists in academic and government institu tions, the media and the music industry. They are trained in 23 colleges of music, about 65 universities, 11 conservatories and music academies, nine music schools and four colleges of music operated by the churches, 50 specialized training facilities and 40 further training academies.

There are a variety of competitions to promote talented young musicians. The best-known is the Young Musicians Competition. In 1994 there were more than 1,000 public music schools, roughly 40,000 choral groups, 25,000 amateur and semiprofessional orchestras, and numerous other ensembles in Germany. Music is a compulsory subject at general education schools, and ensemble music is encouraged there as well. About one fourth of Germany’s young people sing in a choral group or play a musical instrument (most frequently choosing piano, flute or guitar). Instrument making is a craft trade with a long tradition in Germany. Violins from Mittenwald, for instance, are world famous. Listening to music is still much more popular with young people than watching television. The music branch is flourishing. Every year about 240 million CDs, cassettes and records produced by German and foreign companies are sold in the Federal Republic.