Church music degree programmes at the University of Catholic Church Music and Music Education (HfKM) Regensburg (Germany). The history of an unusual university

Abstract

The Regensburg University of Catholic Church Music and Music Education (HfKM), founded in 1874 as the Regensburg School of Church Music by Franz Xaver Haberl, is the world’s oldest Catholic institution for church music. With international significance from its inception, the institution was officially affiliated with the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome in 1962. In 1973, it was transformed into an academy and, in 2001, the HfKM was formally established. The university offers Bachelor's and Master's programs in Church Music, Gregorian Chant, and New Sacred Music, emphasizing both artistic and pedagogical training. The curriculum prepares students not only for liturgical and pastoral responsibilities but also for broader cultural roles. Students gain expertise in areas such as Gregorian chant, choir conducting, and organ performance. HfKM maintains close ties with the church, combining artistic training with liturgical practice. This comprehensive education equips students for significant roles in both church and society, ensuring church music’s contribution to religious and cultural life.