Erik Matz (Choral Conductor, Organ)

Born: 1966 - Bassum, Lower Saxony, Germany

The German choral conductor, organist and church musician, Erik Matz, began his musical education with several years of private lessons in organ and piano. In 1987, he began his church music studies at the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule in Düsseldorf. Principal teachers there were Professor Phillip Langshaw (singings), Thomas Palm (piano), LKMD Christoph Schoener (organ), Professor Hartmut Schmidt and Professor Volker Hempfling (choral conducting). After the church musician exam in 1993, he began his Master's degree studies in conducting / choir directing with Professor Volker Hempfling, also in Düsseldorf. In 1996 he graduated with distinction in the practical test. He completed his training by attending courses and master-classes in organ, choral conducting and conducting with Professor Helmuth Rilling, among others.

From 1992 to 1995 Erik Matz was Assistant Professor in A-level church musician in Leverkusen / Opladen, under the guidance of the former Region Music Director of the Lutheran churches in the Rhineland, Christoph Schoener. In this job he frequently worked with the Leverkusener Bachchor. Since 1995 he is Kantor at the St.-Marien-Kirche in Uelzen and District Kantor of the Lutheran churches in Uelzen.

Since September 1998 Erik Matz is head of the Hugo-Distler-Ensembles Lüneburg. He won with them prizes in several choir competitions, such as 3^rd Prize at the Niedersächsische Choir Competitions in 1997 and 2001, the latter with a special prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary work; 1^st prize in the choir competition "Cantemus 2004" in Limburg Lindenholzhausen and a special prize in the category "sacred music": Conductor Prize, prizes for the best interpretation of romantic and modern choral works, 2^nd prize at the Niedersächsische Choir Competition 2005. In 2009 he won with the ensemble 1^st prize at the Niedersächsische Choir Competition 2009, and is therefore entitled to participate in 8^th Deutsche Choir Competition 2010.

Source: St.-Marien-Kantorei Uelzen Website, English translation by Aryeh Oron (April 2009)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2009); Hanno Lenk (February 2010)

Erik Matz: Short Biography | St.-Marien-Kantorei, Uelzen | Lüneburger Bachorchester | Recordings of Vocal Works

Links to other Sites

St.-Marien-Kantorei Uelzen: Kreiskantor Erik Matz [German]