In memoriam of Prof. Dr. sc. mus. Petra Jürgens

Don't let the waves of life shake you, but dance on them like on a melody.

In memoriam of Prof. Dr. sc. mus. Petra Jürgens
(*31. Juli 1960 Anklam | + 18. Mai 2025 Berlin)

All too soon we have to say farewell to our esteemed colleague Petra Jürgens. She worked at Friedensau Adventist University for more than 27 years.  Initially called to the Institute of Church Music, she developed a major in music therapy for the Magister degree. This was soon followed by the founding of the Institute for Music Therapy at Friedensau Adventist University. In 2010, the Master's program in Music Therapy was established, which she headed from the beginning until March 2025. At the same time, she was the longtime director of the “Berlin Institute for Music Therapy” founded in 1962 in Berlin-Zehlendorf as the very first training center in music therapy. She was the only person to simultaneously manage a private music therapy training center and a state-recognized program of study in the ‘West’ and the ‘East’ and interconnected both institutions in terms of content and in person. Her name is associated with the history of music therapy in East Germany like no other. She wrote her doctorate on this subject in Hamburg and was herself both a representative and a critical observer of it.

For the last four years, Petra Jürgens focused her teaching activities entirely on Friedensau. The place became her professional home even more. During the ups and downs of her illness, again and again she drew her strength, passion, and courage from her work with students and from music. In doing so she embodied deep confidence and joie de vivre. With her unique charisma, Petra was a source of inspiration far beyond the circle of students. She will be fondly remembered for her way of getting to the heart of situations with plays on words and phenomenological descriptions, holding them in abeyance at the same time. She had the ability to pursue topics quietly yet with persistent energy and to integrate methodical and creative improvisational elements into her teaching. We will gratefully remember Petra Jürgens and miss the timbre she shared with us.

Friedensau Adventist University invites you to a memorial service for Petra Jürgens, to celebrate life and music, on 24 June 2025 at 2 pm in the university chapel in the Otto-Lüpke-Haus, An der Ihle 5, 39291 Möckern-Friedensau, followed by a get-together in the Culture Barn.

For the Friedensau Adventist University

Roland E. Fischer,  Regina Lorek, Thomas Spiegler

In accordance with her wishes, her mortal remains will be laid to rest in the Baltic Sea in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made in favor of the Paul-Gerhardt-Hospice in Berlin, where Petra Jürgens spent the last days of her life in a safe and secure atmosphere.

Paul-Gerhardt-Förderverein e.V. | IBAN DE51 1004 0000 0642 9989 00 | Purpose:
Paul-Gerhardt-Hospice | Reference: Petra Jürgens