Each semester marks a new beginning for all students, but especially for the members of the university orchestra. They receive not only new timetables, reading lists, and seminar schedules, but also new sheet music. In the 2025/26 winter semester, the orchestra will be performing one piece by Niels Gade, one by Ralph Vaughan Williams, and a symphony by Jean Sibelius. From October onwards, it’s time to practice, both during rehearsals and at home, so that everything comes together perfectly for the concert in January.

As with a jigsaw puzzle, the different instruments come together every week to create one large musical piece. Over time, the musicians understand better and better who is playing which part and how everything fits together harmoniously. This is also thanks to the orchestra’s conductor, Mariano Chiacchiarini, who pays attention to the smallest details. How fast should the individual passages be played? Is an instrument too loud or too quiet? Is every note right on key?

“It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun,” says Chiacchiarini, who has been directing the orchestra since 2022. “There are students and researchers from all possible fields in the orchestra, as well as musicians from outside the university,” he tells us. “The love for music is what unites us. I’m happy to see how much heart and soul everyone puts into it, and how we all get better week by week and semester by semester.”

And how do the musicians feel about their orchestra? Three of them shared their thoughts with us.

Mira Schomacker, Trumpet

I have been playing the trumpet since I was eight years old. In my hometown Hannover, I always played in the orchestra. So, when I started studying industrial mathematics in Bremen last year, I immediately looked for an orchestra to join.

I can even earn three credit points in the field of General Studies for participating in the orchestra. But I would have joined anyway, not just because of the great music, but also because I get to meet new people here outside of my degree program. I particularly enjoyed the university choir’s trip to Paris in December 2024. We really grew together as a group during that time.

And sometimes I meet up with other members from the orchestra to play music in smaller ensembles. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to perform with other brass musicians at the inauguration of Forum at Domshof in November 2024, which was a fantastic experience!

Carolina Franco, Viola

I have a special connection to the university orchestra: Through the orchestra, I’ve finally had the chance to play the viola again! I learned to play the violin as a child in Chile and later took up the viola. Although I always enjoyed making music, I somehow lost touch with it over the years. It wasn’t until I arrived at the University of Bremen to pursue my Ph.D. in Geology that I began looking for ways to get back into music. Initially, I joined the university choir as a singer. But the orchestra needed viola players and when Mariano Chiacchiarini heard which instrument I had learned, he asked if I’d be willing to join the orchestra. At first, I found it hard to imagine – I hadn’t played in years, and I needed to find a new viola as well! However, my curiosity eventually got the better of me. The early days were challenging, as I had to put in a lot of practice and take lessons to keep up with the rehearsals. But the music has given me so much: It’s a welcome respite from the stresses of my Ph.D. work. I can simply focus on the music for a couple of hours and forget about everything else. Even my dog has grown accustomed to the sound of me playing the viola. At first, he’d scurry out of the room whenever I practiced, but now he’ll even stay when my teacher comes to visit and we play together.

Our last concert was a particularly emotional experience for me, as I thought about my family, especially my mother, who introduced me to classical music, and my grandmother, who showed me how to read music. I missed them and played for them in spirit. It was a bittersweet moment.

Larissa Boldt, Cello

Music is my greatest passion. In addition to working as a secondary school teacher, I play in three orchestras. Two of these are smaller chamber orchestras, consisting mainly of string instruments. The university orchestra has a wider range of instruments, including wind and percussion that are needed to play large symphonies. That’s why it is my favorite orchestra! When the choir joins in, it is a truly incredible experience – making music with so many people. One of the things I really like about the university orchestra is that it brings together so many different people – students, Ph.D. candidates, university staff, alumni, and other music enthusiasts.

I also take cello lessons and practice at home every day. Last semester, in particular, required a lot of practice because the program was very demanding. But that’s exactly what I like: The orchestra challenges me again and again, and we grow side by side.

Interested in Joining the University Orchestra or Choir?

If you’re interested in the university orchestra, you can join at the beginning of each semester. If you play a string instrument, just come to the first rehearsal. If you play a different instrument or aren’t a university student or staff member, please contact the orchestra in advance at orch@uni-bremen.de. The rehearsals take place every Tuesday at 6:50 p.m. in the lecture hall of GW1 building. The first rehearsal of the winter semester will be on October 19th.

If you like to sing, you might be interested in the university choir, which rehearses every Monday at 7 p.m. in the lecture hall of GW1 building. The first rehearsal of the coming semester will be on October 6th. The choir is looking especially for university students or staff members who are tenors and basses. If you’re interested, just send an email to chor@uni-bremen.de, to make an appointment for an audition.

Further Information can be found on University of Bremen Orchestra & Choir website.