Orchestral Tools Supports the Next Generation of Film Composers at the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Students granted subsidized access to professional level orchestral libraries
POTSDAM, GERMANY, February 12, 2025 — Orchestral Tools is proud to announce a new collaborative relationship with the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf. The collaboration is designed to support and inspire the next generation of film composers, by granting students of film composition at the university subsidized access to Berlin Orchestra—the high-quality virtual orchestra initially designed in collaboration with the film scoring department at Berklee College of Music. The full-featured orchestra provides students with an inspiring, professional-level composing toolkit equally suitable for academic projects and industry work. For more information about the Film University film scoring program, please click here.
Inspiring the next generation of film composers
Since its founding as the German Academy of Film Art in 1954 in the former GDR, the Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf has been one of the divided—and then the united—country’s preeminent training grounds for generations of filmmakers. The scope of the university has expanded radically within the last 70 years to include all aspects of the craft, including a very strong film scoring concentration. “The Film University is the most celebrated institution for film music education in the Berlin area and we’ve always felt a strong connection to their program and students,” explains Orchestral Tools Head of Marketing Graham Ball. “We saw this initiative as an opportunity to support them and provide their young composers with an inspiring set of musical tools that would support their studies, as well as prepare them for professional work in the industry.”
“Our students have been pushing all kinds of boundaries in terms of their ambition and desire to expand the art form, and we encourage them to do so” added Film University Babelsberg Head of Film Music Program Ulrich Reuter. “Today in film music, every sound is possible. Nevertheless, being able to write for orchestra is, and will stay, a part of the required skillset of a film composer. And so it is an important part of our program, involving the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg performing regular scoring sessions for the students. But even in situations where you do have the luxury of recording with a real orchestra, a convincing sample library is vital for composing and for communicating with the director and other stakeholders.
Berlin Orchestra has a strong educational pedigree and the quality of its samples and extended articulations are very well in line with our needs as educators and composers, so we are very happy about this opportunity for the students.”
Berlin Orchestra is a complete sampled orchestra collection that focuses clearly on realism and playability, allowing for complex orchestral writing. The collection includes a full string section with soloists and ensembles, a brass section with soloists and ensembles, a detailed woodwinds section, and a wide range of percussion instruments. The diversity of instrumentation and articulations available allow composers to score just as they would for a live orchestra, with enough subtlety and control for the most demanding compositional needs. The collection was recorded at the Teldex Scoring Stage in Berlin with the same musicians and recording setup as OT’s flagship Berlin Series libraries—the industry standard sample libraries used by leading composers around the world.
“For students learning the art of film scoring, a high-quality, playable orchestra is absolutely essential,” says Orchestral Tools Founder and CEO Hendrik Schwarzer. “In the past, lower priced collections simply have not had the quality of sound or flexibility required for serious programs like those at the Film University in Babelsberg. Here, largely thanks to our collaboration with Berklee, we are able to provide these students with an inspiring orchestra at a reasonable price—one that will deliver the depth and quality for advanced orchestration that these students require.”
“We’re incredibly proud to contribute to the next generation of composers in this way, and look forward to our ongoing collaboration with the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF.”
For more information about Berlin Orchestra, please visit: https://www.orchestraltools.com/store/collections/berlinorchestra
About Orchestral Tools
Orchestral Tools makes premium-quality sampled instruments for professional composers. Notable libraries include the Berlin Series, Metropolis Ark, Tallinn, Tom Holkenborg’s Brass and Percussion, created in collaboration with composer Tom Holkenborg, and Phoenix Orchestra, created in collaboration with composers Harry Gregson-Williams and Richard Harvey. Originally founded in 2005 by Hendrik Schwarzer, Orchestral Tools operates internationally from its base in Germany, with offices in Freiburg and Berlin.
