Singing with class
The Project
»ELLEN oder ES WIRD GUT«
When 300 primary school pupils take to the stage at the Cologne Philharmonie alongside the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, it can only mean one thing: ‘Singing with Class!’
The 2026/27 season centres on the new composition ‘ELLEN or IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT’ by Anno Schreier (composition) and Alexander Jansen (libretto), a musical fairy tale of encouragement loosely based on motifs from Anne Frank’s story ‘The Fairy’.
The story goes like this: Ellen has everything – and yet something is missing. Having come into great wealth as an orphan, she has enough to live a carefree life, but she feels no contentment. So she makes a decision: she wants to help. And so she sets off. But how does one truly reach out to people who are struggling? Hesitantly, she begins, listens, and takes her first tentative steps. A year later, she suddenly finds herself facing nothing: nothing remains of her wealth. It is precisely then that she meets children who show her what really matters: not everything can be bought. The only things that help against loneliness, injustice and exclusion are solidarity and compassion.
Over a period of three months, the work is rehearsed by around 300 pupils under the guidance of singing teachers. It culminates in two concerts performed with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne. A comprehensive range of resources supports teachers in preparing for and supervising the project in their classes, and encourages pupils to explore the themes of the work in greater depth. Crafting their own costume and prop elements is also an integral part of this creative project.
KölnMusik in collaboration with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne
Funded by:
- Kuratorium KölnMusik e.V.
Participate in the project
Dates
Project period: after the Easter holidays until early July 2027
Rehearsals:
- 8 school visits by a singing tutor, each lasting 90 minutes, to your class.
- In addition, 3 joint rehearsals at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall during the week of the performances
- After the performances: 1 final school visit by your singing tutor to your class.
Performances:
- Primary school concert on Thursday 1 July 2027, 12:00
- Family concert on Sunday 4 July 2027, 11:00
Registration information
Cost: €20 per pupil to take part in the project (discounts available). VRS tickets for travel to rehearsals and performances at the Cologne Philharmonic Hall are not included in the participation fee.
Registration closes on Friday 9 October 2026
Concert attendance and related services
Registration for primary school concert
Primary School Concert on Thursday 1 July 2027, 12:00 – 13:00
For Years 1–4
Cost: Free admission!
Please note: As admission is free, no tickets including a VRS travel pass are available. Consequently, pupils must cover the cost of their own travel to and from the venue.
General information: Primary school classes must register in advance to attend the final performance of the ‘Singen mit Klasse!’ project. Classes from schools participating in the project will be given priority. For all other registrations, places will be allocated by lottery. Attendance at the performance is only possible once confirmation has been received. For security reasons, we ask that you refrain from bringing large bags and rucksacks.
Registration deadline: Friday 15 January 2027
musicians in the classroom
The musicians of the Gürzenich Orchestra attach particular importance to personal contact and building a close relationship with their young audience. In the run-up to the primary school concert, they visit school classes, introduce their instruments and work through the concert programme together with the classes. The pupils can ask all their questions about the concert and everyday life in the orchestra, and may even have a go at playing the instruments themselves.
Two sessions can be held per school: one at 10.00 am and a second session for a parallel class at 11.00 am.
Dates
Mon 7 June 2027, 10.00 am and 11.00 am
Wed 9 June 2027, 10.00 and 11.00
Thu 10 June 2027, 10.00 and 11.00
Registration
Participation in this programme is free of charge and can be arranged by registering for the primary school concert. To take part in the ‘Musicians in the Classroom’ programme, you must have a confirmed booking for the primary school concert on Thu 1 July 2027.
Registration is open from September until Fri 15 January 2027
Workshop for teachers
From April onwards, you will receive free teaching materials to help you prepare for the concert. In addition, we are offering teachers a short workshop in which we will go through the materials together in a practical way. You can try out the lesson content and adapt it to the needs of your own class.
Singing with your class! ‘ELLEN or IT’LL BE FINE’ for Years 1–4
Fri 21 May 2027, 4–6 pm
Registration
Participation in this programme is free of charge, but you must have a confirmed booking for the primary school concert. If you are interested, please register via the online form for the primary school concert.
Registration closes on Fri 15 January 2027
Buy tickets as families
Advance ticket sales for the family concert on Sunday 4 July 2027 will begin on Friday 5 March 2027 at 12:00.
Questions?
Phone: +49 221 20408 355
musikvermittlung@koelnmusik.de