Elmar Lehnen

Biography

Elmar Lehnen was born in 1965 in Hinsbeck, Lower Rhine. He received his first organ lessons from Wolfgang Seifen who became an important model for him. Following his course at the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik in Aachen with Berthold Botzet, Norbert Richtsteig, Hans-Josef Roth and Viktor Scholz, he continued his studies at the Schola Cantorum in Paris with Prof Jean-Paul Imbert, where he graduated with distinction in 2001, earning a “Diplome de Concert”. Having been organist and choirmaster in Mönchengladbach for ten years, Elmar Lehnen was appointed to succeed Wolfgang Seifen as organist of the papal basilica of St. Marien in Kevelaer in 2000. From 2008 until 2012 he was also choral director at St. Marien. In addition, Elmar Lehnen devotes himself to his international concert schedule. Television, radio and CD recordings document his musical activities.