About Jena Philharmonic Orchestra

The Jena Philharmonic Orchestra has been an integral part of the cultural life of the German state of Thuringia for more than 80 years. In addition to concerts in Jena’s historic Volkshaus, the orchestra performs in cities throughout Germany and has traveled to Italy, France, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Armenia, and China.

In 2017, the Jena Philharmonic was one of only six German orchestras selected to be part of the federally funded “German Orchestral Excellence” program. Since 2005, the orchestra has been a member of the European Union’s orchestral network, ONE®.

The orchestra’s wide repertoire ranges from the Baroque to Jazz, with a special emphasis on Classical and Romantic works as well as the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The orchestra is also committed to the performance of choral music, and is associated with three different choirs.

For more than 50 years, the Jena Philharmonic Orchestra has cooperated with the Franz Liszt Hochschule for Music in Weimar in projects such as the annual International Weimar Master Classes. The orchestra has an extensive education and outreach program for schoolchildren and young people and, together with the German Music Council, supports the training of young conductors from around the world. Numerous CD recordings document the high artistic standard of the orchestra’s performances.