Prof. Benjamin Köthe works as a composer, orchestrator, arranger, pianist and keyboardist for studio, film and television productions as well as for concert projects with various orchestras, such as the Staatskapelle Halle, the GermanPops Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Orchestra. He has also created scores for films such as "Die Apothekerin" and "Feuerreiter". He arranged Italian canzoni for a large symphony orchestra for the Echo prize-winner Vittorio Grigolo. Köthe specializes in symphonic rock crossover compositions. In July 2009, his "Mumintroll at Midnight" for symphony orchestra and rock band was premiered in Reutlingen. For many years he has been the main arranger for "Bridges to Classics" at the Handel Festival in Halle. Since 2006, Benjamin Köthe has been Professor of Popular Music at the Rostock University of Music and Drama. He has also been in charge of the DAS ORCHESTER masterclass from the very beginning, which is taking place for the 11th time this year as part of the Film Music Days.