Outstanding musical and artistic talents

Three young ensembles represented Jena excellently at the recent national "Jugend musiziert" competition in Munich and Regensburg. In the "Accordion Chamber Music" category, Wilhelm Lätsch (cello) and Hans Wöhl (accordion) achieved an outstanding 1st prize with the highest score of 25 points. Maximilian Plath, Helena Victoria Wydra, Eva Magdalena Wydra and Elena Schirrmann (all accordion) also achieved the highest score and a 1st prize. They are all taught at the Jena Music and Art School (MKS).

The brass ensemble from the KLANGwelt orchestra school, comprising Gustav Nitsche (cornet), Anton Song (alto horn), Siiri Bergemann (alto horn), Helena Beyer (euphonium) and Leopold Richter (euphonium), was awarded an impressive second prize in the "Chamber music for wind instruments" category with 23 points.

The three ensembles were honored today as part of the Jena Music and Art School's in-house competition - together with the state prizewinners of the "Jugend musiziert" competition and the Eva Maria Dicken Prize 2026. Yvonne Krüger, Director of the Jena Music and Art School, congratulated all students with great gratitude and recognition:

"Behind this success is not only the exceptional talent and impressive diligence of the students, but also the dedicated support of families and teachers. Their joint efforts make these special achievements possible and deserve the highest appreciation."

Youth makes music

The nationwide "Jugend musiziert" competition is one of the most renowned formats for promoting musical talent in Germany. In addition to the successes at national level, there were also outstanding results at state level for young talents from Jena this year.

First prizes were won by Leo Löck in the piano category, Editha Hucke, Magdalene Wolf, Karla Schleenvoigt and Hannah Zaehle in the harp category and Paul Haubenreiser and Sophia Leppert in the singing category. The ensembles Johanna Triebel (violin), Frederike Krahner (accordion) and Josepha Märkl (flute) as well as Ferdinand Nitsche (violin) and Hannah Löschau (cello) and the clarinet ensemble with Caja Sadoni, Jakob Ziener, Greta Dawczynski and Klara Mosch also won first prizes. Second prize went to the ensemble Elouen Renard (trombone), Julian Banasch (trombone), Jakob Leich (trombone) and Elisabeth Krüger (trombone) and the ensemble Arthur Tannert (accordion) and Amalia Hallbauer (recorder).

"You can be incredibly proud of yourselves and your impressive achievements in this truly challenging competition. We as the city of Jena are too",

said Johannes Schleußner, Head of the Department of Culture.

"With your dedication and hard work, your perseverance and your passion for music, you are already role models. I would also like to say to you from my own experience: keep at it, continue to dedicate yourselves to music - it's worth it."

Eva Maria Dicken Prize

Under the motto "In the spotlight - this is how I appear", pupils aged between 13 and 17 took an artistic look at themselves and entered their works for the Eva Maria Dicken Prize for Children's and Youth Art. Three works from the MKS were honored this year: Annalie Schmidt (13) achieved second prize for her picture "A moment in the light" and Maja Dümmler (15) third prize for her work "My way" in the 12 to 15 age group. The group prize went to Emma Bloss and Hannah Leopold (both aged 14). The first prize in the 16 to 19 age category went to Franz-Leonard Bindi with his work "Jenseits der Leinwand" (Beyond the screen). The nationally established Youth Art Prize offers young artists a platform for creative expression of all kinds. The award-winning works will be on display in the Graphic Cabinet at the Gotha Ducal Museum until June 18, 2026.

Quality of education of immense importance

Friedrun Vollmer, Director of JenaKultur and former Director of the Music and Art School, was particularly pleased and impressed by the consistently high standard of the students at the MKS, both in music and art:

"In times when there are reports everywhere about a shortage of skilled workers - especially in artistic professions and specializations - a constructive, structured and goal-oriented education that gives young people structure and a sense of achievement is of immense importance."