The Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre gGmbH Berlin
What began as an unusual solution for the radio ensembles of the formerly divided Berlin has become an indispensable part of Germany’s orchestral and choral landscape.
In 1994, Berlin faced an unusual question: What do you do with four world-class ensembles from two political systems that suddenly find themselves living together in one city? The answer was the Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre gGmbH Berlin (ROC) – and it continues to thrive to this day.
Its four ensembles perform over 300 live concerts annually for more than 370,000 attendees and reach over 17 million listeners worldwide via radio¹ as well as 14 million users on Spotify alone.
Four ensembles. One organization. Music for everyone.
The Ensemble Network is the result of a commitment to preserve the musical excellence of the four ensembles following Germany’s reunification. In this way, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, the Rundfunkchor Berlin, and the RIAS Kammerchor Berlin are able to continue fulfilling the musical promise they made to Berlin, Germany, and the world to this day.
Since its founding in 1994, the ROC has created the structural and financial framework necessary for the artistic work of its four ensembles to thrive at the highest level.
Based in Berlin-Mitte, the ROC is a nonprofit organization and a central cultural institution for classical music and concert programming in Berlin. It is funded by Deutschlandradio (40%), the Federal Republic of Germany (35%), the State of Berlin (20%), and Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (5%).
Music from Berlin, music for the world
The ROC has become Germany’s largest ensemble network, carrying Berlin’s musical message to the world.
The four ensembles regularly perform in the world’s most renowned concert halls – from Carnegie Hall in New York to Suntory Hall in Tokyo. The Rundfunkchor Berlin is regularly invited to perform with the Berlin Philharmonic; the RIAS Kammerchor Berlin is one of the most widely traveled chamber choirs in the world. On Spotify, the ROC ensembles collectively reach around 14 million listeners.*
Classical music and experiment
Preserving historical works is just as much our mission as developing new, creative formats that are fully committed to modernity.
With its Casual Concerts, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO) deliberately performs in unconventional venues and formats. The Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB), with its inclusive "Concert for Everyone" format, opens up special avenues to classical music and invites people with hearing and cognitive impairments. The Rundfunkchor Berlin presents "human requiem," one of the most extraordinary choral projects in the German-speaking world. The RIAS Kammerchor Berlin has become a veritable export hit with its concert "A Ceremony of Carols," which ranked among the radio concerts with the widest reach worldwide in 2025.
Culture serves the common good
Music is a universal language – and music outreach and educational programs are an integral part of our cultural and educational mission. We promote music through our work with children and youth, as well as through inclusion projects that involve socially disadvantaged people. With award-winning programs and a diverse range of offerings, we open doors to music and culture – for children and adults alike, regardless of their level of experience or background.
Our team
Our musicians render great artistic work – our team in the organisation ensures smooth operations in the background, providing them with the freedom to deploy all their energies for music.
Anselm Rose
Managing Director
Anne Sophie Beyrer
Head of Administration and Authorised Signatory
Stephan Reineke
Executive Advisor to the Managing Director
Ute Hänel
Team Leader Visitor Services
Johanna Losch
Head of Human Resources
Sabine Germann
Press Officer
Alexandra Helena Becht
Head of Corporate Communications / Marketing
Joshua Neumann
Head of Corporate Development
Philine Fuhrhop
Project Manager Impact Controlling
Diana Palm
Sustainability Manager
Christian Beuke
Orchestra Director
Carola Reul
Orchestra Director
Rachel-Sophia Dries
Choir Director
Bernhard Heß
Choir DirectorDeutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Founded in 1946 as the RIAS Symphony Orchestra in the American sector of Berlin, the Deutsche Symphonie-Orchester Berlin has borne its current name since 1993 and has been described by the Süddeutsche Zeitung as an "orchestral think tank." The orchestra takes clear political stances and demonstrates the courage to explore unconventional formats – with a particular commitment to contemporary and rarely heard music. Starting with the 2026–27 season, Kazuki Yamada will take the helm as principal conductor and artistic director. The DSO performs its symphony concerts at the Philharmonie Berlin.
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin
The Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, with over 100 years of history, is one of Berlin’s most traditional orchestras. Under Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski – who has led the ensemble since 2017 and whose contract runs through 2029 – it has earned a reputation for intellectually challenging programs and bold repertoire choices. In addition to the Berlin Philharmonie, its home venues include the Konzerthaus Berlin.
Rundfunkchor Berlin
The Rundfunkchor Berlin is one of the world’s leading professional choirs – sought after by conductors ranging from Kirill Petrenko to Simon Rattle, and performing on major stages from the Philharmonie to Carnegie Hall. Principal conductor Gijs Leenaars has led the ensemble since 2015 and has taken it far beyond the realm of classical choral repertoire with cross-genre projects and staged performances.
RIAS Kammerchor Berlin
The RIAS Kammerchor Berlin was founded in 1948 at the radio station in the American sector and is today one of the world’s leading touring choirs, performing up to 50 concerts per season in Germany and internationally. Since 2017, Justin Doyle has led the ensemble as principal conductor – with a focus on early music, Handel, and Bach, as well as new commissioned works.
Our partners
The ROC is one of Germany’s largest classical music organizers. Its four ensembles reach audiences in Berlin, throughout Germany, and around the world—whether in concert halls or on the radio. This strong presence is only possible thanks to the combined strength of its four shareholders. With a 40% stake, Deutschlandradio is the main shareholder, followed by the Federal Republic of Germany with 35%, the State of Berlin with 20%, and Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg with 5%. The financial burden required to support the four ensembles is thus shared among several parties, while all sides benefit from the outstanding artistic quality.
Our Most Prominent Venues
Philharmonie Berlin & Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt
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Philharmonie Berlin
Einer der bedeutendsten Konzertsäle Berlins
Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1 10785 Berlin Deutschland -
Konzerthaus Berlin
Ein Baudenkmal der Architektur Schinkels
Gendarmenmarkt 2 10117 Berlin Deutschland
1) Data sources for reach in the DACH region:
Press programme service of media-press-tv AG, MA 2025 audio ll and equivalents from Austria and Switzerland
2) Data source for international reach potential:
EBU Media Intelligence Service. The data on the reach potential of stations that have ordered and broadcast one or more concerts featuring a ROC ensemble is collected by the EBU through annual surveys of radio stations. External data is also included in the survey. The average potential reach of the concert recordings mentioned above is calculated from the sum of the reach of the broadcasting radio stations per concert recording.