Long Night of Choirs Berlin

One Church, One Night, One Choir After Another

The Reformationskirche in Berlin-Moabit becomes the stage for an unusual format on a Saturday in September. Since 2005, the parish's Cantorei has been hosting a seven-hour concert evening structured around pure choral music. Approximately 28 choirs and ensembles take turns. Each has 15 minutes, no more, no less. Those who enter will never hear the same sound twice.

The Idea: Making Diversity Visible

The concept aims for breadth. From sacred boys' choirs to a cappella pop ensembles, men's choirs, women's choirs, mixed choirs, gospel, jazz, and world music formations, to chamber choirs with professional aspirations – everyone is welcome to participate. The prerequisites are a program proposal and the willingness to fit into the tight 15-minute rhythm.

Low Threshold Yet Ambitious

Admission is free. No one should be excluded due to ticket costs – a principle explicitly stated by the Cantorei. Instead, a donation basket circulates, with proceeds co-financing the parish's rehearsal and concert work. The Reformationskirche has seating for around 500 people; seats are not reserved, and visitors come and go between performances.

Moabit – A Berlin Neighborhood in Transition

Moabit, part of the Mitte district yet an island between the Spree and the Westhafenkanal, is a historically working-class and immigrant-influenced neighborhood. The Reformationskirche on Beusselstraße has been a meeting point for a growing congregation for over a hundred years. The Long Night of Choirs is one of the cultural formats through which Moabit presents itself as a vibrant Berlin neighborhood.