Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

The origins of the university date back to 1897 with the establishment of the private Conservatory of Music (Conservatorium für Musik). However, just over a decade later, in 1911, it became the conservatory for the city and changed name to Hanover Conservatory (Städtisches Konservatorium, also called Hannoversche Konservatorium). In 1943, during the Second World War, it became State Music School (Landesmusikschule). After the war, in 1950, it merged with the private Hanover Drama School (Hannoversche Schauspielschule) becoming the Academy of Music and Theatre (Akademie für Musik und Theater),[1] before attaining college status (Hochschule) a few years later in 1958 (although back-dated to 1 April 1957) and being separated into the Lower Saxon College of Music and Theatre (Niedersächsische Hochschule für Musik und Theater) and the Lower Saxon School for Music Hanover (Niedersächsische Musikschule Hannover). However, on 1 October 1962 these two were recombined into the State College of Music and Drama Hanover (Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, abbreviated to HMTH and simply called Musikhochschule Hannover).[1]

Name shown above the entrance of the main building constructed in 1970–73.

Between 1970 and 1973 a new dedicated main building was constructed at the very edge of the Eilenriede city forest.[3]^: 335 In 1988 the European Centre for Jewish Music dealing with the documentation and reconstruction of Jewish liturgical music was established by Andor Izsák in the Villa Seligmann, and which since 1992 has been an institute of the university.[4][5] Since 2001 the university has had the Institute for Early Advancement of Highly Gifted Musicians (Institut zur Früh-Förderung Hochbegabter, abbreviated to IFF),[6] and in 2010 the Institute of Chamber Music and the Institute for Early Music was founded.

Main building from south-west

Built in 1903–1906, Villa Seligmann was almost unscathed by the aerial bombings of Hanover during World War II. Situated about 750 m (2,460 ft) north of the main building, the villa has been used by the university for concerts and exhibitions since 2012.

Main building from south along Fritz-Behrens-Allee in autumn 2011

From above, the main building of the university has the shape of an ear, which is also reflected in the university’s logo. At the time of its construction it was one of the most modern buildings designed specifically for an artistic institution.[6] In addition to the main building, the university has sites throughout Hanover:

• Hindenburgstraße 2–4[lower-alpha 1] – Administration
• Villa Seligmann at Hohenzollernstraße 39 – formerly the home of a director of Continental, acquired in 2006 for the European Centre for Jewish Music and opened in 2012 after restoration[7]
• Schiffgraben 48 – Institute for Music Psychology and Musician Medicine (Institut für Musikphysiologie und Musiker-Medizin)
• Seelhorststraße 3 – Research Centre for Music and Gender (Forschungszentrum Musik und Gender, Institute for Music Education Research (Institut für musikpädagogische Forschung and Institute for Music Sciences (Musikwissenschaftliches Institut)
• Expo Plaza 12 – Acting (Schauspiel) and Institute of Journalism and Communication Research (Institut für Journalistik und Kommunikationsforschung)[6]
• Plathnerstraße 35 – Institute for Old Music (Institut für alte Musik)
• Uhlemeyerstraße 21
• Weidendamm 8 – Institute for Jazz, Rock and Pop (Institut für Jazz/Rock/Pop)

The emphasis at HMTMH is music education, artistic education, solo training, and theatre training. Also taught are jazz, rock, pop as part of a popular music program, with an emphasis on jazz.[8] The study programs in the areas of piano, orchestra and chamber music are particularly pronounced, especially in artistic education and music education.

The drama and opera departments are in close cooperation with Hanover State Opera, Hanover Drama and the radio orchestra of the northern German broadcaster NDR. The university stages about two annual opera productions, including premieres, and about three orchestral concerts. The university also maintains artistic and scientific relations with several national and international music colleges and universities, including in Switzerland, Eastern Europe and East Asia.[9]

HMTMH owns an organ in the New Town Church, situated about 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) west-southwest of the main building, that is used for teaching and concerts. Called the Spanish organ, it was installed on the north balcony in 1998–2001 and reflects principles of Spanish Baroque organ building without copying a specific instrument.

The university has had the following presidents:

• 1979–1993 Richard Jakoby (since 1968 as director of the predecessor institution)
• 1993–1997 Peter Becker
• 1997–2003 Klaus-Ernst Behne
• 2003–2005 Katja Schaefer
• 2006–2009 Rolf-Burkhard Klieme
• Since 2010 Susanne Rode-Breymann[2]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover.

• Official website
• Die Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover www.academics.de (in German)