Sound Understanding

DAAD Sound Understanding Concert, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, New York, April 18, 2024. © DAAD/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 2024 Sound Understanding Concert will be held in person on April 18. The concert will showcase the 2023/24 DAAD Music Fellows, alumni, and friends and feature classical and jazz music.

The 2023/2024 DAAD Music Fellows are:
Felix Ambach, drums
Martin Toru Löcken, saxophone
Eliane Menzel, violin
Matthias Lukas Meyer, drums
Daniel Nagel, double bass
Ilja Ruf, piano and songwriter
Cookie Stephenson, double bass
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 2024 [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 2024 [DOC 46.00 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)

Manfred Philipp

Bronze Sponsors ($1000)

Florentine M. Calabia, Helena Kane Finn, Christopher Medalis, Robert and Susanne Meyerson, Helene Zimmer-Loew

Supporters ($500)

Sigrid Berka, Ingo Brachman, Rosmarie Morewedge, Mark Rectanus, Mechthild Schmidt Feist,
Christian Tschoeke, Uli Wagner, Kristina Yu

We’d also like to thank: Gerry Backman, Erika Berroth, Barbara Berthold, Brian Boyer, Erich Haratsch, Kenneth Ledford, Anne MacLachlan, Johnathan Olsen, Susanne Rott, Walter Rowland, Otto Sonntag, Rebecca Williams, Joseph Zabinski

Sound Understanding 2024

Click below to see photos from the 2024 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!