Martin Kirnbauer

Martin Kirnbauer serves as Head of Research, member of the executive board, and Head of the Theory of Early Music Programme at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis (University of Music Basel) within the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). He concurrently holds a lectureship in Music History at the University of Basel and assumed the chair of the Institute in September 2024 for a two-year term.

His academic credentials include:

• Licentiate in Musicology (1993), University of Basel
• Doctorate in Musicology (1998), University of Basel
• Habilitation (2007)

Kirnbauer's research integrates musicology, instrument restoration, and digital humanities with focus on historical performance practice. His work examines early string instruments (viola da gamba, viols), microtonal keyboard development, and digital reconstruction of Renaissance treatises. Current projects analyze North Alpine string instruments circa 1500 and create unified digital tablature editions through the WEAVE-funded E-LAUTE initiative.

He leads multiple SNSF and CTI-funded research programs including Vicentino21 (2020-2024) for digital edition of Nicola Vicentino's treatise and Studio31 for microtonal instrument development. His grant portfolio spans instrumental sonority transformations, historical organology, and practical exploration of 16th-century music theory.

Kirnbauer holds leadership roles in the Swiss Musicological Society as Basel chapter President and central board member. He serves on scientific advisory boards for the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nuremberg and State Institute for Music Research Berlin, and directs foundations including Neumeyer-Junghanns-Tracey Collection and Studio31 association.