Born in the Saarland, Germany, in 1944, Volker Hempfling studied in Herford and Cologne (church music, organ, orchestral conducting, singing). In 1968 Hempfling founded the world famous Kölner Kantorei. From 1972 to 1997 he was organist and church music director (KMD) and conductor of the Domkantorei Altenberg as weIl as director of the ,,Sacred Music” series at Altenberg cathedral.

In addition to guest conducting appearances in Germany and elsewhere, he acts as a lecturer in conducting and vocal training courses throughout the world. His activities as a jury member at national and international competitions have taken him to Regensburg, Marktoberdorf, Graz, Linz, Cork, Maribor, Tours, Legnica, Busan, Preveza, Tolosa, Budapest and Vilnius. He has been head of the jury of three editions of the Marktoberdorf Chamber Choir Competition and leads the seminar for international choral conductors since many years.