Rebecca Saunders Named New Udo-Zimmermann Guest Professor at Dresden/Berlin’s Hochschule für Musik

Dresden, Germany — The Dresden University of Music Carl Maria von Weber has announced that British composer Rebecca Saunders will serve as the next guest lecturer in the prestigious Udo Zimmermann-Gastdozentur, a residency program named after the late German composer and conductor. Saunders, a two-time major award winner, will lead workshops, masterclasses and public concerts beginning in May 2026, continuing a tradition of high-profile international collaboration at the institution.

The appointment was confirmed in official program listings published by the university on May 13, 2026, following Saunders’ selection for the role. The residency, supported by a grant from Saskia Zimmermann—daughter of Udo Zimmermann—the program is designed to foster dialogue between contemporary and classical music traditions. Saunders’ visit will include a series of Portraitkonzerte (portrait concerts) featuring her own works alongside those of 20th-century composers such as Ruth Crawford-Seeger, Anton Webern, and Leoš Janáček.

Saunders, who previously held the title of Capell-Compositrice (composer-in-residence) at Dresden’s Sächsische Staatskapelle from 2009 to 2010, is widely recognized for her contributions to experimental and contemporary music. Her accolades include the 2019 Siemens Music Prize, often described as the “Nobel Prize for Music,” and the 2024 Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, the highest honor at the festival.

This year’s residency marks the continuation of a long-standing partnership between Saunders and the Dresden institution. The program will also include mentorship opportunities for students in the university’s Master’s in New Music, a collaborative degree offered jointly with the Bern University of the Arts and the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Saunders’ workshops will focus on composition techniques, electronic music integration, and performance practices, aligning with the university’s emphasis on interdisciplinary training.

Public concerts featuring Saunders will take place in Dresden’s Konzertsaal at the university, with the first event scheduled for May 21, 2026. The program will include performances of Saunders’ works such as The Mouth (for soprano and tape) and To an Utterance (a piano study), alongside pieces by her contemporaries. Tickets for the concerts are available for €10 (full price) and €8 (reduced rate), with proceeds supporting the residency.

The Udo Zimmermann-Gastdozentur was established to honor the legacy of Udo Zimmermann, a prolific composer and conductor known for bridging modern and traditional musical forms. Since its inception, the program has hosted renowned figures in contemporary music, reinforcing Dresden’s reputation as a hub for experimental and innovative composition.

Saunders’ residency follows recent developments at the university, including the announcement of a new choral symphony commissioned for the 2026 Weber-Jubilee celebrations, which will explore themes of European unity and diversity. The work, composed by student Julia Waldeck, will premiere as part of the university’s broader festival programming.

For updates on Saunders’ schedule, concert details, and registration for workshops, visitors are directed to the Hochschule für Musik Dresden’s official website or the university’s event calendar. The residency is expected to conclude in June 2026, with additional performances and student presentations planned throughout the month.