be:one

Nemecko

be:one – 40 young people aged 14 to 18 share a common passion: popular choral music of the 20th and 21st centuries. Based at the music-focused Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Gymnasium in Berlin Friedrichshain, this youth choir is a close-knit community of highly talented young musicians from a wide variety of musical genres. Here, classical choir singers come together with band and orchestra musicians to sing together and enjoy creative collaboration. be:one is on a constant journey of discovery through the world of popular choral music, always ready for new sounds, new rhythms, new languages—both familiar and unfamiliar. On stage, the group performs in white suspenders and black bowler hats, entertaining its audience with a varied stage show. be:one’s repertoire includes pop and rock songs, ballads, jazz arrangements, film scores, and folk songs from a wide variety of regions around the world. Founded in 2015, the young ensemble grew into a cohesive ensemble under the direction of Vera Zweiniger and Manuel Haase. Numerous successful performances, such as in the Chamber Music Hall of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Concert Hall of the University of the Arts, and at renowned choral festivals (Total Choral | Dabei-Open-Air | Sing Berlin! | Pop Choir Festival of the Rheinsberg Music Academy), attest to the choir’s high vocal and artistic quality. A key focus of the choir’s artistic work is the regular production of high-quality audio recordings and professional music videos. In March 2019, be:one was awarded the “Gold Level” classification at the “Young Bohemia Prague” choir competition. At the international choir competition “Per Musicam ad Astra” in Toruń (Poland) in June 2022, the choir earned a gold diploma (GOLD V) and was named “Winner of the Category” (Gospel – Pop – Jazz – Modern). At the 1st Berlin School Choir Competition at the State Music Academy (FEZ) in July 2023, the ensemble received the distinction “Participated with outstanding success.” In addition, the choir won the prize in the category “Most Beautiful Overall Performance.” At the 7th Horbach Choir Days in the Westerwald (Rhineland-Palatinate), the artistic performance was honored with a Gold Diploma and first prize in the “Popular Music” category. The musicians also received a special prize for their “exceptionally good work with young voices” and the Conductor’s Prize. In June 2024, be:one traveled to the Krakow Choir Festival “Cracovia Cantans” and competed in the choir competition there. The choir was awarded a Gold Diploma, took first place in the Popular Music category, and placed second in the overall standings among 18 international choirs. Vera Zweiniger was also honored with the Conductor’s Award. At the international choir competition “Music Eterna Roma” in Rome (Italy) in July 2025, the choir earned a Gold Diploma (GOLD VI) and was named “Winner of the Category” (Modern). Vera Zweiniger received a Conductor’s Award. In January 2026, the choir celebrated its 10th anniversary with two sold-out shows at the legendary Delphi Theater in Berlin.