The festival’s supporting programme offers a wide range of opportunities for meeting and interacting
The Musica Sacra International festival, taking place over the Whitsun weekend from 22 to 26 May 2026 in Marktoberdorf, Augsburg, Munich and throughout the Allgäu region, presents a diverse range of music from different religions and other cultural traditions. Complementing the festival programme, the supporting programme offers a wide range of opportunities for encounters and exchange. From Saturday to Tuesday, approximately 45-minute workshops led by the ensembles and choirs will take place each morning at the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf, showcasing the special aspects, exciting
elements and interesting facts about their music, religion and culture. The workshops are free of charge; everyone is welcome to attend and, in some cases, to get involved themselves.
Following the evening concerts, the ensembles and international guests gather every evening at Café Musica in the foyer of the Richard Wengenmeier Hall at the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf. The foyer serves as the central meeting place for singers, staff, guests and host families. From 10 pm every evening during the festival, there is an accompanying musical programme that invites you to join in or simply listen. As part of this, Tobias Meggle (Halblech), a musician and DJ, will take up the musical concept of Musica Sacra International in his DJ set on Saturday 23 May at Café Musica. Tobias Meggle (Hinterland Records & Studio) has been active as a composer, music producer, keyboardist and sound engineer since the early 1990s. His music combines electronic soundscapes with live instruments, as well as warm jazz and soul influences.
On 24 May, also at Café Musica from around 10 pm, the Ensemble Feygele (Augsburg) will present a mix of lively klezmer and humorous Yiddish songs. The programme includes instrumental klezmer, Yiddish songs, synagogue liturgy and modern interpretations. The group combines musical excellence with cultural remembrance work and also offers the opportunity to learn Klezmer dances. Admission to the concerts at Café Musica is free.
One of the highlights of the supporting programme is the Intercultural Brunch, which takes place on Monday 25 May at 11 am, inviting guests to engage in conversation beyond music in a relaxed atmosphere. Over a shared meal, festival guests and performers come together in a very direct way. The buffet offers a selection of specialities from the ensembles’ various cultural backgrounds, combining international recipes with regional produce. During the brunch, selected ensembles provide the perfect musical backdrop and offer insights into their respective musical traditions. All visitors are warmly invited to take a seat, enjoy the variety of dishes and strike up conversations with the artists and with one another. The brunch will take place at the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf – weather permitting, on the open-air stage by the Richard Wengenmeier Hall.
The festival’s supporting programme concludes with the Makam Workshop, a practical and participatory workshop on classical Turkish music, taking place on Wednesday 27 May from 10 am to 4 pm at mobilé Marktoberdorf. The workshop will alternate between brief explanations, listening sessions and active music-making. Participants who play a traditional Turkish instrument and would like to bring it along are warmly invited to do so; however, this is optional and not a requirement. Participants should, however, have some basic musical experience. The workshop is based on listening, imitation and group interaction and will be led by Recep Gül (Turkey).