About me

  • Commissioned compositions for choir music

  • Choir conductor in independent projects

  • Commissioned compositions for orchestra music

  • Orchestral conductor in independent projects

  • Music theatre: Composing & musical directing

  • Arrangements for orchestras, choirs & ensembles

  • Coaching of ensembles, choirs & a cappella groups

  • MA studies: »Composing« in combination with »Orchestral Conducting«, additional minor in »Choral Conducting«

Keno Hankel (*1991) is a composer, conductor and ensemble singer (tenor). He composes music for orchestras, choirs and ensembles of a variety of instrumentations and styles. Since 2020, he has been living in his hometown of Bremen and works as a freelance conductor and composer.

He has composed commissioned works for the »Lucerne-Festival«, the »Lübecker Knabenkantorei« and the »Junge Philharmonie Karlsruhe«, among others, as well as arrangements for the »Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen«. His canon of works include two symphonies, orchestral works, theater music, chamber music as well as choral works and an oratorio.

PROJECTS (shortlist):

In 2016, Keno Hankel worked for the »Lucerne-Festival« as composer, arranger and musical director for the music theater project "DIVAMANIA", which toured Switzerland and Luxembourg after its premiere. In 2017, he wrote his first symphony for the "Junge Philharmonie Karlsruhe" and conducted the German premiere of Tord Gustavsen's "MASS". Gustavsen, who also played the piano himself, named the resulting recording his reference recording. In 2018, Keno Hankel conducted the “Mittelsächsische Philharmonie“ in the premiere of his work "Concertino im Zauberwald". In 2019 he was awarded the "Bremer Komponistenpreis" (Bremen Composers Prize). In 2020, he wrote his second symphony. 2022 saw the premiere of his "ZÜTPHEN-ORATORIUM", which he was commissioned to write for the 500th anniversary of the Bremen Reformation. In 2023, he conducted a recording with the »Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen«. Subsequently, he collaborated with the Kammerphilharmonie at the "Sommer in Lesmona" festival, performing there with his project ensemble »Orchid Kammerchor Bremen« and Goran Bregovic.

The »Orchid Kammerchor Bremen« is a chamber choir of professional singers under Keno Hankel's direction. Founded in 2022, it has performed several conceptual concert programs, including premieres of works by its director. In 2024, the ensemble collaborated with Hana Blažikova and the ensemble »Musica Getutscht«. In September 2024, they will present Olivier Messiaen's »Cinq Rechants«.

In his childhood, Keno Hankel sang in the »Knabenchor Unser Lieben Frauen Bremen« (Bremen boy’s choir) and played as a boy soloist at the "Theater Bremen" in several opera productions. As a teenager he founded the a cappella group "Boys in Concerts", which released two professional studio albums and a live DVD: he was responsible for compositions, arrangements and musical direction. Since 2015, he has been a member of the "Dresden Chamber Choir" under the direction of Hans-Christoph Rademann.

EDUCATION:

Keno Hankel studied composition JRP with Thomas Zoller at the Dresdner Musikhochschule with a minor in voice and conducting. He completed his master's degree with a combined major in composition and orchestral conducting and additionally specialized in choral conducting.