The Cage Academy in Halberstadt
The Cage House in Halberstadt offers a space for emerging musicians to study and perform. Renowned teachers and jurors guide events such as the annual Cage Award, the annual Cage Workshop, diverse Symposiums or the Cage Experience, while rotating exhibitions in the building provide additional context and inspiration.
The Cage House’s informal, collaborative atmosphere makes it a vibrant hub for early-career students, scientists, interested audience and curious minds of any age to connect with internationally acclaimed artists and educators. Simply participating in these events is a valuable experience, with the added incentive of prize money for the winners of the Cage Award.
The Cage House is located right next to the Burchardi Church, where John Cage’s iconic organ piece ORGAN²/ASLSP (As Slow as Possible) is hosted by the John Cage Organ Foundation Halberstadt. This remarkable continuous concert (duration: 639 years) is part of the Foundation's broader mission to support young artists in the field of contemporary music.
All activities are made possible through the generosity of sponsors, mainly the Karin und Uwe Hollweg Stiftung, who support both the John Cage Organ Art Project Halberstadt and the development of young talent in the world of contemporary music.
Supported by: Karin und Uwe Hollweg Stiftung // Förderverein John-Cage-Orgel-Kunst-Projekt e.V. // City of Halberstadt // KlangART Vision // Aus- und Weiterbildungszentrum Halberstadt
CAGE HOUSE
The manor house of the former agricultural estate on the grounds of the centuries-old Burchardi monastery in Halberstadt is now known as the Cage House. In addition to the office of the John Cage Organ Foundation Halberstadt, the house also has rooms and halls that offer space for exhibitions, performances and seminars.
John Cage, his work, his composition ORGAN²/ASLSP and its 639 years of performance in the neighboring Burchardi Church form the thematic core of the John Cage Organ Art Project Halberstadt.
The Cage Award and Cage Workshop also take place in the Cage House.
BURCHARDI CHURCH
The performance venue for ORGAN²/ASLSP is in the Burchardi Church, right next to the Cage House. Thus, Halberstadt's musical history also includes a very "crazy" project, namely a 639-year realization of the organ piece ORGAN²/ASLSP by the American composer and avant-garde artist John Cage (1912-1992). This project is "crazy" in the sense of "not in its usual place" because it does not fulfill the conventional expectations of music lovers of a concert, such as melody and rhythm or being able to hear it in its entirety.
The entire Burchardi monastery, the location of the cage-academy, with its exhibitions, performances, competitions and master classes, is very well suited for creative meetings and collaborative work. An almost familial atmosphere is quickly created, which makes it easy to make new artistic contacts.