The University of Music Würzburg and the Matthias-Grünewald-Gymnasium jointly found the "Center for the Promotion of Musical Excellence Würzburg". The aim of this institution, which is unique in Bavaria, is to provide optimal support for musically exceptionally gifted children and young people. The combination of musical instruction at the highest level with a school environment geared to the needs of young musicians is intended to give the next generation of musicians the best possible opportunities for a career in music while at the same time enabling them to graduate from a general education school.

During a ceremony on March 28, 2019, the ceremonial signing of the cooperation agreement by PresidentProf. Dr. Christoph Wünsch and Head of School Dr. Martin Sachse-Weinert took place at the Hochschule für Musik Würzburg in front of more than 100 participants. In their speeches, Minister of State Bernd Sibler and Lord Mayor Christian Schuchardt praised the concept, which is unique in Bavaria, with which the two institutions offer gifted students optimal support.

In addition to the Minister of State and the Lord Mayor, President Prof. Wünsch was also able to welcome MdL Manfred Ländner, the Ministerial Representative for the high schools in Lower Franconia Monika Zeyer-Müller, members of the University Council and the Würzburg City Council, Ms. Ulrike Goldbeck andProf. Lutz Koppetsch from the PreCollege management, the board members of the Bavarian Association of MusiciansAndrea Fink and Steffen Zeller, the chairwoman of the alumni associationJudith Jörg and the chairman of the parents' council Cornelius Palmer, numerous teachers and students of the excellence branch with their parents, colleagues and students of the university.

Greetings and signing were appropriately framed by musical contributions, rousingly performed by students from PreCollege and ExzellenzZweig: Klara Eyrich, oboe (ExzellenzZweig, class Ramona Heidecker), Julian Herzing, viola (PreCollege, class Prof. Theo Nüßlein), Philipp Hubert, piano (PreCollege, class Ulrike Goldbeck and ExcellenceBranch), Béla Noll, flute/composition (ExcellenceBranch class Stefanie Helmer and PreCollege, class Joachim Schneider), Robert Schlotter, violoncello (ExcellenceBranch, class Deanna Talens), Franziska Stemmer, piano (guest from Weimar, class Michael Dorner) and Michael Stemmer, alto saxophone (PreCollege, class Prof. Lutz Koppetsch).

The Würzburg model is based on a three-stage concept. First of all, the students attend the artistic branch of the Gymnasium and change to the excellence branch of the school via an aptitude test. If they are talented enough, they can also take an aptitude test to gain admission to the PreCollege of the Academy of Music, where professors continue to teach the main subject. Cross-entry into the EzellenzZweig or PreCollege is also possible via the aptitude test. Students who are accepted into the ExcellenceBranch or PreCollege benefit from the following:

• Exemption opportunities (school lessons, exams) to prepare for competitions or concerts.
• Participation in college offerings such as master classes, joint concerts and excursions
• In PreCollege core subject instruction by professors
• In PreCollege and in the excellence branch, lessons in other subjects such as piano and music theory with university lecturers.
• Accommodation in the high school's boarding school with ample practice facilities.

Further information

on thepage of the State Ministry for Science and Art on the page of theMain Post Würzburg