Udo Dahmen and Hubert Wandjo awarded the Order of Merit

The Order of Merit of the State of Baden is awarded by the Minister President for outstanding services to the State of Baden-Württemberg, especially in the political, social, cultural and economic fields. As a rule, the Order of Merit is awarded once a year at a ceremony. The number of recipients of the Order is limited to a total of 1,000 living persons.

Udo Dahmen is Artistic Director and Managing Director of the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg. Dahmen is also head of the Popular Music Department and Vice-President of the German Music Council. Hubert Wandjo is former Business Director and Managing Director. He was responsible for the department of music and creative industries at the Popakademie. In autumn 2022, his successor Michael Herberger took over as Business Director.

Together, Udo Dahmen and Hubert Wandjo have developed the Popakademie into an institution with an international reputation and turned it into a centre of excellence for pop culture and the music industry. Europe-wide and international networks, funding programmes and an artist agency pave the way for graduates to enter the music business.