Prof. Dr. Sointu Scharenberg

Sointu Scharenberg studied school music, German language and literature, philosophy, psychology, and pedagogy in Kassel and Hanover before taking her First State Examination in 1987. After a brief period as a research assistant within the Academy Scholarship of Prof. Dr. Ellen Hickmann, she began her teaching traineeship in Wilhelmshaven in 1988, which she completed in 1989 with her Second State Examination. From 1990 to 1992, she worked as a secondary school teacher at the grammar school and concurrently at the District Music School in Westerstede.  

In 1992, the HSP II programme for the promotion of early career researchers enabled her to return as a research assistant to the IfMpF at the Hanover University of Music and Drama whilst continuing her studies in musicology, music education, German Studies (primarily medieval studies), and philosophy. After research stays in Berlin, Switzerland, Austria, and the USA, she was awarded a Dr. phil. in music education in 1997 (Overcoming Principles: Studies on Arnold Schönberg's Teaching Activities from 1902 to 1951).  

A further period as a secondary school teacher, this time at the Cäcilienschule in Oldenburg, was followed in summer 2003 by an appointment to the Chair of Music Education at the HMDK Stuttgart, where she has been engaged in research and teaching ever since.  

Her research interests focus primarily on the history of music education, including international comparisons, as well as the development of music education as an academic discipline and university teaching.  

Publications and presentations (pdf)  
Courses (pdf)
Supervised projects (pdf)

A significant part of her work at the HMDK is her involvement in a wide range of committees; in addition, she occasionally serves on juries and is involved in associations at national and international level.

Committee work, expert and association activities (pdf)