WINDHOEK — International Wind Festival Trossingen
International Festival for Wind Music at the Trossingen University of Music
About WINDHOEK Festival
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Trossingen — Capital of Wind Music
If there is one city in Germany where wind music is at home, it is Trossingen. This small town in the Tuttlingen district in the Swabian Jura is home to two of the most important institutions for wind music worldwide: the Trossingen University of Music, founded in 1944 and with an internationally outstanding reputation for wind instruments, piano, church music, and early music, as well as the Hohner harmonica factory, whose name is inextricably linked with the history of the harmonica. The WINDHOEK Festival, which invites the Trossingen University of Music to bring together the international wind music world annually, is rooted in this tradition.
"Fresh Air" — the Motto for 2026
The WINDHOEK Festival 2026 runs from April 9th to 11th under the motto "Fresh Air". The composers in residence are Philippe Hersant, one of the most significant French composers of our time (born 1948, multiple recipient of the SACEM Grand Prix), and Nina Šenk, a Slovenian composer (born 1982, multiple award winner, whose works are performed by leading ensembles across Europe). Both have commissioned works specifically for the festival or are bringing current works. In addition, new pieces from the composition class of Prof. Sven Daigger will be premiered — fresh air in the truest sense.
Five International Wind Music Stars
The musical direction of the festival is in the hands of five internationally renowned university professors from the Trossingen University of Music: Matvey Demin (Flute), Prof. Nicholas Daniel (Oboe), Prof. Chen Halevi (Clarinet), Prof. Fredrik Ekdahl (Bassoon), and Prof. Saar Berger (Horn). This constellation at a festival is extraordinary — each of them is in demand as a soloist internationally. The festival uses this concentration for three evening concerts, a public rehearsal for young audiences (ages 14 and up), and a workshop featuring works by composition students.
Three Evening Concerts with Poetic Titles
The three evening concerts bear poetic titles that structure the program: "Lines.Colors.Breath" — lines, colors, breath as musical materials. "Darkness.Motion.Renewal" — darkness, motion, renewal as a dramatic arc. "Form.Force.Resonance" — form, force, resonance as the concluding synthesis. The programs combine works by the composers in residence with wind music literature from the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as new pieces from the composition class.
Trossingen — A Study Location with Character
Trossingen is located in the Tuttlingen district at the southern end of the Black Forest, in the transitional landscape to the Baar region. The town, with its approximately 16,000 inhabitants, largely thrives on its university and the Hohner tradition. The WINDHOEK Festival is a rare opportunity to get to know this unique study location — with its excellent acoustics in the university's concert halls, the harmonica world of the Hohner factory, and the quiet, rural atmosphere of the Swabian Jura.
WINDHOEK Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of WINDHOEK takes place from April 9th to 11th, 2026, at the Trossingen University of Music. The festival is under the programmatic motto "Fresh Air" and focuses on two composers: Philippe Hersant (France) and Nina Šenk (Slovenia) are the composers in residence.
The musical direction is provided by the five leading wind professors of the HfM Trossingen: Matvey Demin (Flute), Prof. Nicholas Daniel (Oboe), Prof. Chen Halevi (Clarinet), Prof. Fredrik Ekdahl (Bassoon), and Prof. Saar Berger (Horn). Additionally, students from the composition class of Prof. Sven Daigger will present world premieres of works composed for WINDHOEK.
Programme WINDHOEK Festival 2026
Thursday, April 9, 2026 — Opening
- Festival opening at the Trossingen University of Music
- Evening Concert 1: "Lines.Colors.Breath" — Works by Philippe Hersant and Nina Šenk in dialogue with wind music literature from the 20th/21st century.
- Soloists: the five festival professors (Demin, Daniel, Halevi, Ekdahl, Berger)
Friday, April 10, 2026 — Workshop Day
- Composer Workshops with Philippe Hersant and Nina Šenk — open to students, composers, and the professional audience.
- Public Rehearsal for Young Audiences (ages 14+) — free admission.
- Evening Concert 2: "Darkness.Motion.Renewal" — Wind music works from the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on the composers in residence.
Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Closing
- Workshop: World premieres of new works from the composition class of Prof. Sven Daigger.
- Workshops and meeting with the festival team.
- Closing Concert: "Form.Force.Resonance" — Synthesis of works by the composers in residence and student works.
- Festival conclusion.
Performers
- Matvey Demin — Flute (HfM Trossingen)
- Prof. Nicholas Daniel — Oboe (HfM Trossingen)
- Prof. Chen Halevi — Clarinet (HfM Trossingen)
- Prof. Fredrik Ekdahl — Bassoon (HfM Trossingen)
- Prof. Saar Berger — Horn (HfM Trossingen)
- Composers in Residence: Philippe Hersant (FR), Nina Šenk (SI)
- Students of the HfM Trossingen — Wind Instruments and Composition Class
The complete program with all works, performance times, and concert halls will be published at hfm-trossingen.de/windhoek-festival.
Highlights WINDHOEK Festival 2026
- Motto 2026: "Fresh Air"
- Composers in Residence: Philippe Hersant (FR) and Nina Šenk (SI)
- Five internationally renowned wind professors from the HfM Trossingen
- Three evening concerts with poetic program titles
- Public rehearsal for young audiences aged 14+ — free of charge
- Workshop with world premieres from the Daigger composition class
Prices WINDHOEK Festival 2026
Admission to the evening concerts at affordable prices (typically €10–€25, discounts for pupils and students). The public rehearsal for young audiences (ages 14+) is accessible free of charge. Exact prices and reservations at hfm-trossingen.de/windhoek-festival.
Practical information — WINDHOEK Festival
Getting There
Trossingen is located in the Tuttlingen district, southern Baden-Württemberg. By car: A81 exit Rottweil or Tuningen, then B14/B27. By train: To Tuttlingen, then bus 65 to Trossingen. Alternatively, take the Schwarzwaldbahn to Donaueschingen, then connect to Trossingen.
Tickets
Admission to the evening concerts is free or at affordable prices (typically €10–€20). The public rehearsal for young audiences aged 14 and up is free. Tickets are available through the Trossingen University of Music.
Good to Know
Program and tickets at hfm-trossingen.de/windhoek-festival. Accommodation in Trossingen is limited — also possible in Tuttlingen, Schwenningen, or Rottweil. Program available in German and English.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a WINDHOEK Festival al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place WINDHOEK Festival
Hochschule für Musik Trossingen
Hochschule für Musik Trossingen, 78647 Trossingen