Since 1962, the German Foundation for Musical Life has been dedicated to the nationwide promotion of young musical talent. The foundation has supported great artistic personalities such as Christoph Eschenbach, Gerhard Oppitz and Sabine Meyer. Particularly successful scholarship holders in recent years include the violinists Viviane Hagner and Baiba Skride, the cellists Nicolas Altstaedt and Julian Steckel, the pianists Alice Sara Ott and Igor Levit and the vocal ensemble Singer Pur.

The foundation focuses on long-term, tailor-made support for its current 300 or so scholarship holders aged between 12 and 30. After all, every artist's personality is individual, and so is the support they receive. Accordingly, the support program with its three main pillars takes into account different aspects that are particularly important for the start of a life as a successful professional musician.

At the heart of the support program is the German Musical Instrument Fund, a joint project with the Federal Republic of Germany founded in 1993. In this fund, the foundation now looks after around 270 mainly historical, beautiful-sounding string instruments, which are loaned to outstanding young musicians via an annual competition.
Our scholarship holders can gain podium experience in their own concerts or in performances with our cooperation partners. The spectrum ranges from small lunch concerts and the traditional summer concert on Sylt to special projects such as festive concerts at the Federal President's house or debuts in large halls. Collaborations with renowned orchestras and festivals enable up-and-coming soloists to present themselves to large audiences.
Finally, the foundation offers a wide range of special prizes, scholarships and sponsorships for very individual support - from special prizes at Jugend musiziert for the younger generation and annual scholarships at the German Music Competition for the more advanced, to funding for master classes and study visits abroad and annual sponsorships.