Eventim’s Rescue Mission

Ticketing giant CTS Eventim has teamed with German businessman Frank Otto, the city of Hamburg and Haspa Bank to bail out the city’s pop music course.

The Kontaktstudiengang Popularmusik – a part-time higher degree course at Hamburg’s College of Music and Theatre – has been running for more than 25 years, but faced closure due to budget cuts.

But CTS, Otto and the city and bank have stumped up euro 1.35 million ($1.9 million) between them to safeguard its long-term future. Otto is head of Ferryhouse production company.

The course was launched in 1982 as a pilot project. Although it’s survived for 25 years, it’s been on the brink of financial collapse on several occasions.

Recent graduates include members of successful German bands including Wir Sind Helden, Seeed, Revolverheld and Texas Lightning, plus solo performers such as Ute Lemper, Tim Fischer and Heinz Strunk.

Many other course students have found a place in the music business as studio or live musicians, or in music publishing companies, recording companies or in higher education.