Rural schoolchildren star in a groundbreaking musical coup in Rheinsberg
A bold new music project is bringing together rural schoolchildren and professional artists in Rheinsberg. Kings and Queens – A Musical Coup transforms teenagers into performers, blending courtly music with their own creative ideas. The show is part of Musiktheater 360°, an initiative by the Rheinsberg Academy of Music. The project began with Werkstatt Quillo, an outreach programme by Ensemble Quillo. For over 20 years, the group has taken contemporary music to rural communities. This time, 32 children—many with special educational needs—are taking centre stage.
Under the guidance of experts in costume, dance, and sound, the students have shaped the performance. A group of girls aged 11 to 16 wield hand-painted Rain Makers—staffs filled with pebbles—that create a sound like falling rain. Later, the mood shifts to dark fantasy as a duck-like creature stalks and devours a girl in a dreamlike sequence.
Composer Andreas Völk bridges old and new with a triumphant overture and interludes. His music mixes courtly grandeur with sounds from the teenagers’ world. Even comedy finds its place: a news anchor named Ente Kross appears, urging witnesses to call a number ending in 6 and 7.
For two students, Fieby and Helene from Clara Zetkin School, the project meant juggling rehearsals with a German exam. They still found time to brainstorm ideas for ruling their town. Teachers involved say the experience lets them see their pupils in a fresh light, while students with special needs feel more included. The performance breaks down barriers between professional and amateur artists. It also challenges the idea that contemporary music is remote or elitist. Here, the audience isn’t just watching—they’re part of the original vision.
