St. John's Choir Rostock Concerts

Choral Music in the Heart of Rostock

The St. John's Choir Rostock is one of the traditional church music institutions of the Hanseatic city. It unites several choirs under its umbrella: the Motet Choir for sophisticated vocal literature, the Figural Choir for large oratorios, the Choral Choir as a youth choir for 13- to 20-year-olds, and the Kurrende for the youngest singers. Together, they sustain Rostock's sacred concert life.

A Broad Repertoire

The choir's concert program ranges from Baroque passions to Classical works and Romantic pieces. In 2026, highlights include Bach's St. John Passion BWV 245, a walking concert with the Kurrende, and the program "Forgotten Songs – Rediscovered." In early summer, the Figural Choir invites you to a festive oratorio concert featuring works by Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart in St. Nicholas' Church.

Paul Gerhardt Year 2026

The year 2026 marks the 350th anniversary of the death of the significant hymn writer Paul Gerhardt. The St. John's Choir commemorates this anniversary year with concerts and other events that focus on the work of the church hymn poet. Gerhardt's chorales remain a core part of Protestant hymnody to this day.

Summer Tour through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

In the summer, the choir leaves its home churches in Rostock and goes on tour. Concerts take the choir to the surrounding villages and small towns, as well as to the Baltic Sea island of Hiddensee, where choir-and-organ concerts and a cappella programs are performed in the island churches. In this way, the choir brings its music to the entire region.

Church Music in the Hanseatic City

The concerts are predominantly held in the churches of Rostock's city center, especially in St. Nicholas' Church and the eponymous St. John's Church. Rostock, the largest city in the Rostock district and in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, thus offers a vibrant choral music scene that extends throughout the year.