Sound Understanding

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 2023 Sound Understanding Concert will be held in person on April 20. The concert will showcase the 2022/23 DAAD Music Fellows, alumni, and friends and feature classical and jazz music.
The 2022/2023 DAAD Music Fellows are:
Felix Ambach, drums
Martina Barta, voice
Eliane Menzel, violin
Felicitas Schiffner, violin
Finn Wiest, drums
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 2023 [DOC 121.00 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 2023 [DOC 31.00 KB]
Sound Understanding Sponsors 2023
The DAAD Alumni Association of the US and DAAD would like to gratefully acknowledge all of the sponsors of last year’s event and all of our members and donors across the country. Their support will help us to ensure that the important work of international academic and cultural exchange between the US and Germany continues to address the needs of the modern transatlantic relationship.
Silver Sponsors ($2000)
Dirk Weis
Bronze Sponsors ($1000)
Christian Tschoeke, Helene Zimmer-Loew
Supporters ($500)
Brian D Boyer, Ingo Brachman, Helena Kane Finn, Kara Kirkeby, Robert Meyerson, Rosmarie Morewedge, Uli Wagner
We’d also like to thank: Gary Beckman, Barbara Berthold, Ranjit Bhattacharjee, Ronald Engle, Jennifer Hickey, Erich Haratsch, Wolfgang Ketterle, Kenneth Ledford, Martin Mueller, Mark Rectanus, Susanne Rott, Mechthild Schmidt, Otto Sonntag, Rick White, Rebecca Willams, Joseph Zabinski
Sound Understanding 2022
Click below to see photos from the 2022 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!