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!

Advertisements by German Universities

1/11

Beyond data: MSc Project Management & Data Science - Berlin

Join the International Master's at HTW Berlin! Become the data-savvy professional employers want, able to …

More on Beyond data: MSc Project Management & Data Science - Berlin

Take the next step towards a global career: Bucerius Master of Law & B...

Join Bucerius Law School in Hamburg! Apply by 15 January to study at one of Germany’s top private universities for future global professionals.

More on Take the next step towards a global career: Bucerius Master of Law & Business
Hof University - University of Applied Sciences Logo RGB

English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Hof University

Shape your future with our career-focused Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in English, featuring hands-on learning, integrated industry internships, and strong links to companies!

More on English-taught Bachelor’s and Master’s programs at Hof University

Master of Science in Manufacturing Technology (M.Sc.)

Boost your engineering career by studying manufacturing in Germany, one of the top manufacturing nations worldwide! Apply from 1st Jan – 15th May at TU Dortmund University. No tuition fees.

More on Master of Science in Manufacturing Technology (M.Sc.)

WELCOME TO AALEN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES!

The campus of Aalen University is with 4.300 students from almost 70 countries a lively hub of practice-oriented learning, cutting-edge applied research and a vibrant student community.

More on WELCOME TO AALEN UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES!

TH Mannheim - Your Career Starts Here

Invest in your future in Germany and discover our international Bachelor programs BSc Engineering and Management International and BSc International Engineering at Technische Hochschule Mannheim!

More on TH Mannheim - Your Career Starts Here

Advertisements by German Universities

Study one of four international Master’s programmes at the University of Potsdam and become part of a leading research environment for climate, Earth and environmental research.

More on Advertisements by German Universities
Hof University - University of Applied Sciences Logo RGB

Hands-on Master’s programs at Hof University Graduate School

Shape your future with our career-focused Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in English, featuring hands-on learning, integrated industry internships, and strong links to companies!

More on Hands-on Master’s programs at Hof University Graduate School

Study Abroad in Berlin – Summer and Winter

With FUBiS you can study in Berlin for 3 to 6 weeks in summer and winter while earning ECTS credits that may count toward your degree. Enroll in German language courses and English-taught subject cour...

More on Study Abroad in Berlin – Summer and Winter

Study where your ideas become real-world impact

Turn your ideas into sustainable technologies. Shape the future at the University of Stuttgart.

More on Study where your ideas become real-world impact

Professional Master of Public Policy (MPP)

A brighter future needs smarter policies. Shape solutions for global policy challenges with our MPP program, designed for young professionals.

More on Professional Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Contact

Location pin on map display