A Berlin court on Friday ruled that the city's renowned all-boys State and Cathedral Choir had not been sexist when it rejected a 9-year-old girl's application.

"The acoustic pattern of a choir is part of its artistic freedom," the presiding judge said. The court also found sufficient evidence of a "boys' choir sound."

The choir insisted the rejection was "not predominantly about her gender" and that she would have been successful had her voice "matched the desired sound characteristics of a boys choir."

The court did leave open the possibility to appeal, saying the case could serve as a "pilot."

What was the case about?

A 9-year-old girl who was rejected by one of Germany's most renowned boys choirs sued the choir for gender bias.

The case sparked a national debate on equal rights versus artistic freedom.

Founded in 1465 by Frederick II, Elector of Brandenburg, the State and Cathedral Choir has not admitted a single female over its 554 years.

The young girl initially auditioned with the Berlin choir in March but was rejected.

The choir also claimed to be skeptical about being able to work with the girl's parents.

Read more: 'Heartbreaking' study reveals young girls led to think boys are smarter

'Impermissible' discrimination

The girl's mother had brought the complaint on her daughter's behalf and said that the rejection was discriminatory "in an impermissible way," and infringed upon her right to equal opportunities from an institution receiving state funds.

The girl's lawyer, Susann Bräcklein, said that her young client applied to the choir in 2016 and 2018 and was rejected both times without being offered an audition.

The dean of the music faculty at Berlin's University of the Arts, with which the choir is affiliated, informed the girl in writing that "a girl will never sing in a boys choir."

Nevertheless, she was invited for an audition in March, only to be rejected again and told she had neither the motivation nor talent required to join the choir.

Read more: Germany's family minister urges gender pay gap closure

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Berlin State and Cathedral Choir Founded in 1465 by Fredrick II of Brandenburg, the Berlin State and Cathedral Choir has never admitted any girls. This boy choir is now at the center of a legal dispute following its refusal to admit a nine-year-old girl into its ranks. Having toured the world, the choir is one of Germany's most renowned — but there are even older ones.

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Aachener Domchor Emperor Charlemagne's spectacular cathedral, a World Heritage Site, is the home of Germany's oldest boy choir. Also known by its Latin name, Cappella Carolina, the Aachen Cathedral Choir boasts an over 1,200-year history. A cathedral choir for girls was founded here in 2011.

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Regensburger Domspatzen The name translates to "Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows," and it dates back to the year 976. This boy choir in Bavaria has performed for guests of state such as Queen Elizabeth II and Pope John Paul II. In 2010 it made headlines when widespread cases of sexual abuse came to light. The director at the time of the alleged abuse cases was Georg Ratzinger, the brother of Pope Benedict XVI.

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Stadtsingechor zu Halle The choir of the city of Halle, the home town of George Friderich Handel, was founded in 1116 and celebrated its 900th anniversary in 2016. The third oldest choir in Germany is sometimes called the world's oldest secularized choir. In most traditional choirs in Germany, the boys attend an associated boarding school, but that's not the case here.

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Thomanerchor The Choir of St. Thomas' in Leipzig was founded in 1212. This boy choir focuses on the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, the choir's music director from 1723 to 1750. The position is known as Thomaskantor (Cantor of St. Thomas'). The choirboys are called Thomaner and live in a boarding school.

Germany's most traditional boys' choirs Dresdner Kreuzchor With a history dating back to around 650 years, the boys' choir of the Kreuzkirche (Church of the Cross) in Dresden is the fifth oldest choir in Germany. Its 150 members are called Kruzianer. They often perform with the Staatskapelle Dresden (Dresden State Orchestra) and the Dresden Philharmonic, as in the picture above. Author: Elizabeth Grenier



Germany divided over the case

The case has generated heated debate across German media regarding tradition, culture, talent and musicology versus gender equality.

Those siding with the choir argue that importance lies in the tone, not talent. Mixing the choir with females would end its traditional sound, they argue.

Hannah Bethke, a columnist for the daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, said that "nobody has said girls can't sing as well… judging that should be left to the musicians."

She added that anyone who reinforces the "misunderstood gender equality here sacrifices a cultural asset."

Others remain adamant that the issue is one that stems from gender discrimination and backwardness.

Read more: Girls, women still face legal discrimination in 155 countries

Abbie Conant, an American trombonist who faced discrimination as a woman when she first started playing with the Munich Philharmonic in 1980, said that numerous studies reveal "even professional musicians cannot reliably hear the difference between a boys and a girls choir singing the same repertoire."

Conant also pointed out that boys choirs in other countries, including Britain, have already opened up to both sexes without legal disputes.

"Why would an enlightened society such as we have in Germany want to continue this kind of discriminatory tradition?" she said.

mvb/rt (AP, dpa)

DW's editors send out a selection of the day's news and features. Sign up to receive it here.