Sound Understanding

© Beowulf Sheehan
Sound Understanding is DAAD and the DAAD Alumni Association’s annual concert showcasing the young, talented DAAD music fellows from Germany who have spent the past year studying at music schools in the US and Canada. The music fellows are selected in a national competition among the best students of Germany’s renowned music colleges.

We are pleased to announce the 2026 Sound Understanding Concert will be held in person on April 16th. The concert will showcase the 2025/26 DAAD Music Fellows, alumni, and friends and feature classical and jazz music.

The 2025/2026 DAAD Music Fellows are:

Mathieu Clement, drums
Julius Gawlik, tenor saxophone and clarinet
Johannes Mann, guitar
Jonas Müller, drums
Wanja Rosenthal, guitar
Daniel Oetz Salcines, double bass
Joan Osca, alto saxophone
Finn Vidal, tenor saxophone
Povel Widestrand, piano
Sofia Will, alto saxophone and composer
Etienne Wittich, guitar

Click here to reserve your tickets. Tickets are free of charge, but a suggested donation of $25 would be appreciated. You can make a donation here.

Attractive sponsorship packages will help you associate your brand with an enjoyable cultural evening highlighting the next generation of German musicians, and meet leaders of the German-American business community. Previous sponsors and attendees included, among others, the Robert Bosch Corporation, Deutsche Bank, DHL, Lufthansa, Mercedes-Benz USA, Schering/Berlex Laboratories, and others.

Details on sponsorship opportunities are available here: Sound Understanding Sponsorship Form 2026 [DOC 136.50 KB]

The DAAD Alumni Association is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by the law.

The DAAD Alumni Association continues to welcome support from generous DAAD alumni, friends and partners.

If you would like to make a donation to the DAAD Alumni Association, please click here.

If you are interested in advertising at the event, please find details and advertisement rates here: Sound Understanding Advertisement Opportunities 2026 [DOC 46.00 KB]

Sound Understanding 2026

Click below to see photos from the 2026 Sound Understanding concert at Carnegie Hall.

DAAD Alumni Associations USA

Join in! The DAAD Alumni Association USA aims to strengthen ties between its alumni in the USA and abroad. One of its flagship programs is the annual Sound Understanding concert. If you are not already a sustaining member of the DAAD Alumni Association, consider joining us!

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