The Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (German Saving Banks Association) has been the largest, non-governmental supporter of the arts in Germany for many years. In addition to the support of both regional and national projects, the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe is very passionate about encouraging the development of future generations. They have been a proud sponsor of “Jugend musiziert“, one of the most important classical music competitions for youth in Germany for over 40 years.

Over 20,000 young people participate in the “Jugend musiziert“ contest each year. The goal of these competitions, is to identify and encourage musical talents at an early age. Renowned artists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter or Christiane Oelze have proven that the national competition can be a launch pad for international careers in the arts.
The “Meisterschüler – Meister“ concert series at the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival, supported by the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe, is continuing the success of “Jugend musiziert”. Young musicians who have participated successfully in the contest will meet well-known stars of classical music in this concert series, many of whom launched their careers by winning “Jugend musiziert” themselves. This year, many world-class concerts with “Master students“ such as Martin Helmchen and Gabriel Adriano Schwabe together with “Masters“ like Sabine Meyer (K 46, K 49) as well as Albrecht Mayer (K 100, K 103) can be experienced.

After its successful launch at the SHMF in 2009, this concert series concept was adopted by Musikfest Stuttgart the following year, where it will also continue this year. Martin Helmchen and Sabine Meyer will give a trio concert together with cellist Mischa Meyer at the SHMF this year. They will also be giving another trio concert together with cellist Heinrich Schiff both at the Musikfest in Stuttgart and at the Rheingau Musik Festival.

The idea of this wonderful concert series “Meisterschüler – Meister“ has spread to another well-known festival.