In the literal sense, the Rostock University of Music and Drama is very new, as it was only founded in 1994. However, its seemingly youthful façade conceals years of tradition. A college of music, drama, and dance was founded here back in 1947 under the direction of composer Rudolf Wagner-Régeny; it became an offshoot of Berlin'sBerlin's "Hanns Eisler" college for training music students.
Rostock can also look back on 40 years of theatrical history. Founded in 1968 as the "Staatliche Schauspielschule Rostock" (Rostock College of Drama), it became part of Berlin'sBerlin's "Ernst Busch" drama college in 1981. At the end of 1990/beginning of 1991, it split off from the Berlin college and continued life as the College of Dramatic Arts of the federal state of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
On January 12, 1994, the home's foundation gave rise to an independent art college combining musical and dramatic training under one roof. Prof. Wilfrid Jochims, who formerly held a post at the music college in Cologne, was appointed the founding Rector.
After a few years in temporary buildings, we succeeded in expanding the former Katharinenstift, a listed building in Rostock'sRostock's eastern old town, and transforming it into a modern art college. It has been a prominent feature of the college landscape since 2001.
Today, the hmt is one of Europe'sEurope's most popular training institutions. Around 500 students from 42 countries are studying here. The hmt is a member of der Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC) and since 2016 of the Association of Nordic Music Academies (ANMA), a cooperation between the management of currently 30 NordplusMusic member institutions which promote through collaboration high standards in higher music education within the Nordic and Baltic countries.
During the last 20 years, the hmt has established itself as a desirable events location: teachers and students present their work to a critical public in more than 300 performances a year – many of these events are now seen as insider tips in Rostock'sRostock's cultural calendar.
Fragments of the text of St. Francis of Assisi'sAssisi's "Canticle of the Sun" are inscribed on the glass front between the garth and the Library in the St. Katharinenstift. The Franciscans began building this monastery in 1223. The monks disappeared during the Reformation, and the Katharinenstift was turned into a poorhouse.
The church was almost destroyed in the great city fire of 1677; only the choir and a few ruins of the central nave wall remained. In later years, the building was successively used as an orphanage, school, penitentiary, hospital, lunatic asylum, and finally as a senior citizen'scitizen's home until 1990.
In 1995, the decision was finally made to convert the former Katharinenstift into a college. A call for bids from throughout Europe led to architects Braun & Voigt in Frankfurt/Main being awarded the commission. Over a construction period of 3 years, the old structures were renovated, and new building complexes were added. The basic principle of architects Braun & Voigt was to avoid mixing new and old. Therefore, the new buildings are separate from the old historical structures and enter into an exciting dialogue. Emphasis was placed on transparency and views. Thanks to this concept, the present-day college with its spacious cloisters, chapter house, and refectory create a working atmosphere that is unique among Germany'sGermany's academic buildings.
The Katharinenstift was declared ready for occupation in April 2001 and exuded a distinctive atmosphere for students and teachers. The garth was reconstructed to accommodate open-air events. A massive opera and concert hall was constructed on the north side of the monastery building. The former refectory now serves as the organ room. The spacious Gothic dormitory is used as a chamber music room. Two fully-equipped drama studios provide space for rehearsals and performances. With its recessed balcony and numerous workplaces in the vault of the former confessional, the Library is ideal for concentrated, intensive scientific work.
The home belongs to one of the few colleges of music and drama in Germany to have a fully-equipped stage with retractable orchestra podiums, manual and machine-operated counter hoists, complete lighting technology digitalized sound studios. The conversion of the Katharinenstift was a stroke of luck for Rostock'sRostock's old town, and as the home of the home, it is our pride and joy.
The Library is devoted to collecting, conserving, and providing music, sound carriers, and academic publications relating to music and theatre. It is open to all students and staff of the Rostock University of Music and Drama and the University of Rostock as a specialist library. Its stock comprises 13.500 books and printed journals, 39.000 items of sheet music, 7100 sound recordings, and other items and journals, ebooks, and databases. We also host 12000 media items of musicology of the Rostock University Library.
The stock is arranged by the classification system and can be searched on the computerized catalog.
With the attached gallery and numerous workspaces in the former confessional building vault, a Library is an ideal place for concentrated work. A PC pool enables the use of CD-ROMs and to perform internet researches. A variety of players are available for CDs, tapes, and records. WLAN is available for members of the University of Music and Theatre.
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