Kieselbach's Jonathan Engel: German champion in the accordion game!

Kieselbach's Jonathan Engel: German champion in the accordion game!

In the idyllic community of Kieselbach there is reason to be happy! The only 14-year-old Jonathan Engel impressively cleared the renowned national competition "Youth Music" in Wuppertal and grabbed the 1st price in the accordion of age group III. With 24 out of 25 possible points, he is now one of the best young accordionists in Germany. [Insuedthueringen] (https://www.insuedthueringen.de/inhalt.jugend-musikt-kieselbacher-sieg federal competition.f8b361bc-128-912f-d8d63546d756.html) reports that Jonathan briefly shine from all over Germany could.

After an impressive journey through the regional and state competitions, in which he achieved the full score of 25 points in Thuringia, Jonathan faced a golden challenge on June 4, 2025. The competition day for him and his accompanying persons, including his accordion teacher Beate Bach, started early in the morning. Despite the long preparation time, he moved in the best result of four participants from Thuringia in his category. [Rhokanal] (https://rhokanal.de/2025/06/sieger-taktfuehl-jonathan-engel-zaehlt- zu-deutschlands-best-Besten-Besten-Akordeonisten/) describes that his competitive program with seven masterfully played pieces was an absolute ear feast-including titles such as "tango", "Bagatelle" and "Almost too cheeky".

an impressive career

Jonathan's relationship with music has been deeply anchored since the age of eighth. He not only finds a pleasure in the accordion of play, but also has a good hand for football, table tennis, piano and organ. His teacher Beate Bach emphasizes the discipline and ambition that Jonathan invests for his musical progress. "Music is not an easy way, but his sense is remarkable," she praises her protégé. His toughness pays off, because Jonathan achieved 23 and 24 points as early as 2021 and 2022.

The music school Johann Sebastian Bach Wartburgkreis, where Jonathan is taught, sees him not only a talented student, but also a role model for others. The “Youth Music” competition is an important platform for promoting musical talents in Germany, which has encouraged almost a million young people since 1963 to pursue their passion for music. Jugend-Musicia emphasizes that the competition is carried out not only in Germany, but also at over 35 schools abroad.

But Jonathan remains modest - maybe it is precisely his own magic. He is currently a student at the Seume-Gymnasium in Vacha and regularly gives concerts, including the recent performance at the spring concert of the music school in Bad Salzungen, where he presented his program by heart. The next challenge is already in sight, and you can look forward to what this young artist will do next.