University History

Great potential for the future at the oldest public institution of music education in Germany

The University of Music, Wuerzburg has a rich history dating back to the late 18th century. The founding of the Collegium Musicum Academicum Wirceburgense prior to 1798 by Franz Joseph Fröhlich paved the way for the later University of Music, Wuerzburg. No other music university in Germany can look back on such a long tradition!

In 1804 the Collegium Musicum became the "Öffentliche Musikanstalt" (The Public Institute of Music) at the "Churfürstliche Julius-Universität zu Würzburg". Around 1850 already 680 students and pupils studied here!

Later, in the year 1875, the "Musikanstalt" became the "Königlichen Musikschule" (Royal School of Music) and split with the University of Wuerzburg. Soon the "Musikschule" achieved a wide spread reputation.

Even Richard Wagner, who worked at the Wuerzburg Theatre for a short period, sent two students here because he regarded The Royal Conservatory at Wuerzburg as the best he knew.
Another highlight in our history was the 1894 performance of „Tod und Verklärung“ ("Death and Transfiguration") by the orchestra of The Royal Conservatory of Wuerzburg, conducted by Richard Strauss himself. Back in Weimar, Strauss was really enthusiastic about his work with the orchestra.

One of Fröhlich`s successors, Hermann Zilcher, composer and founder of Wuerzburg's Mozart Festival, led the institution between 1920 and 1945. The former "Königliche Musikschule" (Royal School of Music) was changed to "Bayerisches Staatskonservatorium" (The Conservatory of the State of Bavaria) in 1921.

The raise in status to "The University of Music, Wuerzburg" in 1973 presented a great opportunity for our institution: Courses and activities were broadened and made more challenging.

Nowadays students find really modern equipment to practice their instruments and study theoretical topics. There are studios for professional recordings as well as computer workstations.

In 2001 the former City of Wuerzburg's Conservatory was integrated into The University of Music, Wuerzburg. New courses, such as jazz, elementary music education, and accordion, broadened our course offerings once again.

The University of Music, Wuerzburg is led by President Prof. Helmut Erb, Vive President Theodor Nüßlein, Vice President Prof. Dr. Bernd Clausen, Vice President Prof. Dr. Christoph Wünsch and Chancellor Dr. Eva Stumpf-Wirths.

The University of Music, Wuerzburg was led by the following persons in the course of its history