Fundraising Campaign 2026

Every year, the Vienna Boys Choir faces a budget shortfall of €800,000. There are several reasons for this; chiefly the dramatic rise of living and energy costs. At the same time, concert revenues are stagnating. Presenters worldwide are struggling with enormous cost increases, not only for energy and staff, but also for venue hire, travel, accommodation and food. These costs cannot be passed on to the audience, as this would lead to a decline in ticket sales.
 
We are able to generate 65% of our running budget, which is impressive for an artistic institution. In the past, we have relied on sponsors and donors for the remaining 35%, but this is becoming increasingly difficult and challenging.
This is why we are planning a fundraising campaign for 2026. In 2026, we are celebrating 100 years of touring: our first international tour took place in August 1926, when the choir travelled to Germany and Switzerland. The campaign will kick off with our New Year's Concert at the MuTh concert hall on 23 January. Following this, an event will be held every month to highlight a special aspect of our campus. In February, the focus will be on the Vienna Girls Choir.
 
We are engaged in constructive dialogue with the Austrian Federal Chancellery, the relevant ministries and the City of Vienna to help with funding.



Thursday
22
January
Friday
30
January
  • Chapel
  • Girls Choir

The Vienna Girls Choir become part of the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle

From September 2026, the Vienna Girls Choir will become a permanent part of the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle. They will perform alternately with the four choirs of the Vienna Boys Choir at Sunday masses in the Imperial Chapel. The Vienna Girls Choir will further enhance the artistic profile of the Vienna Court Orchestra with their highly skilled choral performances. They will make their debut on 20 September 2026.

With a history spanning 528 years, the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle is one of the world's oldest musical institutions. Founded in 1498, it is a cultural institution and music ensemble based in the Imperial Chapel in Vienna's Hofburg Palace. It consists of the Vienna Boys Choir, members of the Vienna State Opera's men's chorus and the Vienna State Opera's orchestra, the Choralschola (i.e. the Gregorian Chant ensemble), and, grom September 2026, of the Vienna Choir Girls. 

«The Vienna Hofmusikkapelle is a living tradition that has continuously evolved throughout its long history, and continues to evolve. The inclusion of the Vienna Girls Choir marks a milestone. It will enrich and strengthen our music», says Jürgen Partaj, Director of the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle.

The Vienna Girls Choir was founded in 2004 as a counterpart to the Vienna Boys Choir. It is a professional chamber choir of 25 dedicated young ladies between the ages of 10 and 14. Since September 2024, the girls have been attending the Vienna Boys Choir grammar school. Like the boys, they rehearse for two hours every day. The choir performs regularly at home and abroad, with China on the itinerary for April 2026.

«The girls receive the same first-class training as the boys, and they have been able to develop into an equally excellent choir. We are delighted about their admission to the venerable Vienna Hofmusikkapelle: it is both an important step and a logical development,» says Erich Arthold, President of the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Girls Choir.

525 Years of Music, 21 CDs, 358 Tracks: Our Anniversary Box

525 Years of Stories: Our Book

The Vienna Boys Choir is a private charity which does not receive regular goverment subsidies, but funds itself through concerts, recordings, sponsorship, and donations.

Please help, if you can. Your gift is much appreciated.

Thank you!

Yours, the Vienna Boys Choir