The orchestra

The ensemble was founded in 1960 as the chamber orchestra of the Clausthal Mining Academy. From 1999 to 2002 it was conducted by José V. López de Vergara. Since 2002 we have been playing under the direction of Rainer Klugkist. In 2005 we changed our name to the Clausthal University of Technology Symphony Orchestra due to the growth in the number of players.

The orchestra consists of students and employees of the TU, but also musicians from the surrounding area. We rehearse once a week in the TU Clausthal auditorium. From time to time, technical and musical details are fine-tuned in separate string and wind rehearsals, sometimes with the support of professional instrumentalists. At a rehearsal weekend shortly before the concert dates, we finally bring the works to final maturity.

In addition to the end-of-semester concerts, members of the orchestra also perform at university and city celebrations. Through a collaboration with the Hanover University of Music and Drama, we offer graduates the opportunity to take their concert examinations during our concerts.

The conductor

Since the winter semester 2002/2003 we have been making music under the direction of Rainer Klugkist from Hanover. Rainer Klugkist studied violin in Lübeck with O. Nikolov, in Hamburg with H.G. Deneke and in Hanover with Oscar C. Yatco.

In Hanover and Dresden he studied with H. Hennig, W. Nussbaum, G.Müller-Lorenz, S. Kurz and C. Kluttig in choral and orchestral conducting.

Since his student days, he has conducted various instrumental groups, choirs and orchestras of very different abilities. Thanks to his training as a violinist, violin teacher and experience as concertmaster in various national youth orchestras, he can also offer the string players specific technical support. In addition to the Clausthal University of Technology Symphony Orchestra, he currently conducts the Hanover-Döhren Mixed Choir.

The board

The board of the Clausthal University of Technology Symphony Orchestra consists of the orchestra spokesperson, a deputy, the treasurer and the secretary. They are responsible for organizing rehearsals and concerts. They are also assisted by the deputy orchestra spokesperson.

Orchestra spokesperson

Anna Godesberg has held the position of orchestra spokesperson since July 2023. She studied instrumental pedagogy at the University of Music and Dance in Cologne and is now a music teacher at the music school in Salzgitter. She has been a concertmaster in our orchestra since 2017.

Treasurer

Hannes Hanse has been treasurer since February 2023 and previously served on the board as orchestra spokesperson. He began studying energy systems engineering at Clausthal University of Technology in 2016 and has been playing his viola in the orchestra ever since. Hannes now works as a research assistant at our university.

Secretary

Katrin Kenzlers has held the office of Secretary since July 2023. She has been playing the clarinet in the orchestra, with a few interruptions, since she began studying materials science and engineering at Clausthal University of Technology. After completing her studies, she worked as a research assistant at the Institute of Polymer Materials and Plastics Technology and is therefore able to continue playing and has held the position of secretary since July 2023.

Deputy orchestra spokesperson

Friedrich Bürger has been the deputy orchestra speaker of our symphony orchestra since July 2023. He has been studying energy and materials physics at Clausthal University of Technology since the 2017 winter semester and has also been a member of the orchestra as a cellist since 2017.