Music in the Woods – Media music workshops in Lower Austria!

Organised by and in cooperation with JAM MUSIC LAB Private University, AKM and the Veranstalterverband Österreich. Since 2024, the Media Music Workshop Music in the Woods has been taking place in Gutenbrunn (Waldviertel). 

Music in the Woods – What It's About

Music in the Woods aims to promote Austrian music creation in the fields of songwriting, music production, film scoring, and game audio. From over 100 applications, a jury of experts selects the top 30 participants who will ultimately take part in the program.

The workshop is led by Oliver Schmellenkamp, a producer in the field of film and game music and head of the Media Music Department at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University, and Michael Klimas, singer and producer of Söhne Mannheims and also a lecturer at JAM MUSIC LAB Private University.

During their stay, participants receive valuable input from industry experts – including Grammy winner Georg Luksch, Jeffrey Levenson (Grammy-recognized producer, manager, educator, and journalist in the fields of jazz and pop), Hollywood producer Paul Haslinger, songwriter and producer PAENDA, and many others – either in person or via digital sessions.

Additionally, participants have the opportunity to work on their own projects during free creative phases, either individually or in collaboration with fellow participants. The instructors on site are available at all times to provide guidance and support.

Impressive musical talents in Gutenbrunn

On the final evening of the program, the participants present the results of their work from the preceding days at Bühnenwirtshaus Juster.

  • Singers move the audience with their own compositions,
  • Composers create goosebump moments,
  • Film scorers add epic soundscapes to their soundtracks.

Before and after the performances, participants have the opportunity to network with guests from the worlds of politics, art, and culture. The aim is for all involved to take away as much inspiration as possible from these days and successfully realize their future projects.

Music in the Woods: Fostering Talent for an International Career

By combining practice and theory under the guidance of renowned national and international music producers, Music in the Woods offers a unique opportunity to nurture talent, sharpen skills, and establish a career in the media music industry. For example, former Music in the Woods participants Abor & Tynna represented Germany at ESC 2025, while CHOVO won the Austrian Protestsong Contest in the same year. Further follow-up projects in close collaboration with JAM MUSIC LAB Private University additionally facilitate entry into the music market.

From the Waldviertel to Hollywood

Ratka, Klimas, Weber, Sacoto, Rösch. Levenson, Meyerson

A major follow-up highlight of the first Music in the Woods edition in 2024 was the Los Angeles trip awarded to the Challenge winners. The three participants – Sara Sacoto, Desiree Weber, and Lukas Rösch – gained exclusive insights into the international film and media music industry, including a visit to Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions studio complex. There they met renowned professionals such as Zimmer’s long-time mix engineer Alan Meyerson as well as several established film composers. Through studio visits, masterclasses, and personal exchanges, the winners experienced firsthand how creative work developed in the Austrian Waldviertel can connect directly to the global film music industry. Read more in our report.

The “Sounds of Red Bull Challenge”

This so called Sounds of Red Bull challenge is since 2025 an integral part of the program and creates a direct connection to the global media industry. At its core is the task of scoring exclusive, music-free film footage from the Red Bull world.

Led by Martin Brem (Head of Global Music Services, Red Bull Media House) and his team of music supervisors, the Challenge offers participants the opportunity to have their compositions analyzed and evaluated by industry professionals. The focus lies on demonstrating how a thoughtful musical development can enhance the emotional impact of visual storytelling.

Outstanding contributions may qualify for inclusion in the global production music catalogue SOUNDS OF RED BULL.

You can find a variety of impressions under the following link: Image Gallery Music in the Woods 2024 and Image Gallery Music in The Woods 2025