A word with Karim Mayer

Dear Karim, you are studying singing at the Berlin University of the Arts and are a member of the Rundfunkchor this year, as well as taking part in the Schola’s final concert on 15 October. Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for us.

How did you hear about the Rundfunkchor Berlin’s Schola programme and what motivated you to take part?

Because friends of mine took part in the Schola last year, I already learnt a lot and was very interested. By taking part in the Rundfunkchor Academy, I am now also part of the Schola, which makes me very happy!

Could you give us a little insight into your musical background? Did you already have experience in choral singing before you joined the Schola programme as an academist?

I started singing at the age of 11 in what was then the children’s choir at my school. When I was 15, our sixth form choir had a sponsorship with the RIAS Chamber Choir Berlin and I was allowed to sing in the final concert. That was the moment for me when I realised that choral singing could also be a career. I then started taking singing lessons with our voice coach in the senior choir and after school I prepared for my singing degree, which I started a year later at the UdK Berlin. Although the degree programme tends to promote solo singing, I have always sung a lot in choirs and ensembles, for example with friends of mine with whom I founded a men’s choir. Last year, I was a member of the Balthasar Neumann Choir under Thomas Hengelbrock, which was also a great experience.

What is it like working with the Rundfunkchor Berlin and what insights have you already gained into the world of professional choral music?

As an academy member, I take part in all of the Rundfunkchor’s projects, which means all of the rehearsals and, once I’ve reached concert maturity, all of the concerts. I really enjoy it, but it’s also vocally exhausting as you first have to get used to the daily rehearsals. The two concerts I’ve sung in so far have been particularly impressive. The solos were also performed by singers from the Rundfunkchor, who sang really well. I found it very exciting that the choir singers are also really good as soloists.

What advice would you give to other students who are interested in getting involved in choral singing or taking part in the Schola programme?

Young talent projects such as the Schola in particular not only offer an opportunity to sing at a high level, but also the chance to connect and exchange ideas with other young singers.

What can we expect at the final concert on 15 October?

A very exciting, sacred acapella programme with composers such as Hildegard von Bingen, Mendelssohn and others.

Finally, what does music mean to you personally and how has your time as an academy member of the Rundfunkchor Berlin deepened your love of music?

Music is something that I grew up with at an early age and that has accompanied me throughout my life and hopefully will continue to do so in the future. Music transports the content of a piece to the listener on a new level and it is precisely through music-making at the highest level that this becomes most perceptible. I am therefore very happy to be able to sing with the Rundfunkchor Berlin this half year and to feel the magic of the music at the concerts.