Conductor Justus Barleben will be the new Artistic Director of the German National Youth Choir. Born in 1992, he will assume the position in January 2027, as announced on Monday by the German Music Council, the choir's governing body. Barleben, who hails from Hanover, was selected from a pool of 32 applicants. He succeeds Anne Kohler, who has led the ensemble since its founding in 2020.

Justus Barleben

"With Barleben, we have gained an artistically accomplished conductor with extensive experience in both professional choral and youth choir work to lead the German National Youth Choir," said Caroline Wiese, project manager for the German National Youth Choir at the German Music Council. "He will continue and further develop the ensemble's successful work with new impetus."

Barleben possesses a stylistically diverse repertoire, ranging from early music to contemporary works, it was stated. He regularly appears as a guest conductor with renowned ensembles such as the Berlin Radio Choir, the MDR Radio Choir, and the NDR Vocal Ensemble. He is currently working with members of the Berlin Radio Choir on Gabriela Ortiz's "Revolución diamantina" for Gustavo Dudamel and the Berlin Philharmonic.

Barleben said he was delighted about his new role as Artistic Director of the German National Youth Choir. "This nationwide select ensemble unites young people with outstanding musical and vocal abilities and is also a place of encounter, curiosity, and personal development." He could not imagine a better environment to embark on a musical journey of discovery together and to create special concert experiences in a spirit of deep connection.

Barleben will lead his first working phase with the Federal Youth Choir in March 2027 at the State Academy for Musician Youth Baden-Württemberg in Ochsenhausen.

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