Each year, more than 1,200 pupils from around 30 school choirs and singing classes take part in two colourful concerts alongside the Rundfunkchor Berlin. In the lead-up to the event, members of the Rundfunkchor visit schools to rehearse with the students, spark their enthusiasm for professional choral singing, and help prepare the concert repertoire.

Two concerts,
around 30 school choirs and singing classes,
over 1,200 young voices

In 2026, the Song Exchange celebrates its 20th anniversary under the motto:
»Shining Stars and Rolling Thunder«.

On 17 March 2026, pupils from Berlin’s secondary schools will perform under the baton of Anne Kohler, choir director and professor of choral conducting at the Detmold University of Music, in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonie.

On 12 June 2026, the stage of the Philharmonie’s Great Hall will be filled with the voices of primary school choirs and singing classes. Also taking part are children from SING!, the Rundfunkchor Berlin’s education programme.

Registration for primary and secondary schools opens mid-July 2025.
Deadline: 21 September 2025.

Song Exchange 2026

Schedule for primary schools

Tue, 30 September 2025, 4–5 pm

Haus des Rundfunks / Helmut-Koch-Saal
Kick-off date for primary school teachers

From autumn 2025

Preparation of the programme in class

from January 2026

Classroom visits by members of the Rundfunkchor Berlin

Mon, 8 June 2026, 10 am – 1 pm

Great Hall of the Philharmonie
Rehearsals of the school choirs and singing classes with the Rundfunkchor Berlin

Fri, 12 June 2026, 3 pm

Great Hall of the Philharmonie
Concert

Schedule for secondary schools

Tue, 30 September 2025, 5:30–6:30 pm

Haus des Rundfunks / Helmut-Koch-Saal
Kick-off date for secondary school teachers

From autumn 2025

Preparation of the programme in class

Mid-March 2026

Joint rehearsal with members of the Rundfunkchor Berlin at Haus des Rundfunks

Tue, 17 March 2026

Chamber Music Hall of the Philharmonie
10 am – 1 pm: Rehearsal of the school choirs with the Rundfunkchor Berlin
2 pm – 6 pm: Rehearsal of individual school choirs’ own contributions
7 pm: Concert

The educational programme SING!
at the Song Exchange

You can get some impressions of the Song Exchange in this video about our SING! initiative.