Application & Fees
Application deadline
July 31, 2026
A participation fee is charged upon acceptance:
- €40 – pupils (school students) and HMT students
- €120 – university students
- €240 – non-students
The number of active participants is limited in order to ensure close supervision in individual lessons and ensemble work.
Applicants will be informed after submission whether they have been accepted for active participation.
Applicants are asked to submit a short video recording (approx. 1–2 minutes) as part of the application. The recording should give a brief impression of the applicant’s current level. It serves as a basis for the selection process (except HMT students).
The number of active participants is limited in order to ensure close supervision in individual lessons and ensemble work.
Payment & Cancellation
The participation fee becomes binding upon confirmation of acceptance and must be paid within one week after the application deadline.
In case of cancellation due to illness, the participation fee can be refunded upon presentation of a medical certificate, minus an administrative fee of €40.
Accommodation
We recommend booking accommodation at the Five Elements Hostel Leipzig:
https://5elementshostel.de/de/leipzig/
The hostel offers affordable options including single and double rooms as well as beds in 4- or 8-bed dormitories. Breakfast is available as an option. The hostel is located approximately 200 meters from the university.
Programme (Preliminary Schedule)
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Arrival and optional joint activities (guided tours of the Bach Archive, Bach Museum, and the Museum of Musical Instruments)
Wednesday, September 23 – Friday, September 25, 2026
Individual lessons, chamber music and workshops (baroque dance and improvisation)
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Final matinee at the university (tbc)
Final concert at the GRASSI Museum with selected members of the academy (in context of the international Paul de Wit conference)
Sunday, September 27, 2026
departure
Course Content
The Leipzig Early Music Academy focuses on historically informed performance practice under the motto “Bach and Beyond”. The focus lies on repertoire from the 17th and 18th centuries, with particular attention to the musical environment of Johann Sebastian Bach and its wider traditions.
The programme includes:
- individual coaching
- ensemble and orchestral work
- selected lectures on performance practice and historical context
The repertoire will be communicated in advance of the course. In individual lessons and small ensembles, participants also work on their own repertoire (which should fit to the motto "Bach and Beyond") in consultation with the teachers.
Participation requires the use of historical instruments or appropriate setups.
The pitch is A = 415 Hz.
Additional Information
Applications are also possible for existing ensembles. In this case, each ensemble member must apply individually and indicate the names of the other members in the application form.
Further details (including repertoire for larger ensembles and detailed scheduling) will be provided upon acceptance.