Zamus – Centre for Early Music

At its core, Zamus supports performers from the independent scene: it accompanies their artistic development, prepares them for the concert circuit and connects them with one another. Newly formed early-music ensembles receive artistic, organisational and financial backing, including through an artists-in-residence programme.

The association was founded on 27 January 2011; its first board included the recorder player Dorothee Oberlinger as chair, Roland Steinfeld and Markus Märkl. The harpsichordist, organist and pianist Markus Märkl initially ran day-to-day affairs until Thomas Höft took over management and artistic direction in 2012. Mélanie Froehly has led the organisation since 2018. On 24 June 2021 a chest organ built by Andreas J. Schiegnitz was inaugurated with an organ concert.

Since 2011 Zamus has staged a themed festival every spring, known since 2021 as the „zamus: early music festival“. Artistic direction lay with Thomas Höft from 2012 to 2018, with Christoph Spering in 2019 and with the Tel Aviv-born cellist Ira Givol from 2020 to the end of 2024; since 2025 the violinist Midori Seiler has shaped the programme. Past mottos include „Strong Women“ (2013), „Passions“ (2015) and „Ecstasy and Contemplation“ (2025).

Music education holds a special place, with audience talks and programmes for children. There are also grant programmes, music-management and further-training offers, and a music laboratory that supports musicologists in their research projects. Cooperation partners include the Cologne University of Music and Dance and the RheinEnergie Stiftung Kultur.

On 3 February 2022 Cologne's city council resolved to expand Zamus and integrate the legendary WDR Studio for Electronic Music there. This began a multi-year construction and development phase, funded by North Rhine-Westphalia's Ministry of Culture and Science and the City of Cologne.