Henner Krogh

In the footsteps of Henner Krogh

How a Sylt musician shaped the island

Henner Krogh was a very talented, yet stubborn, musician from Sylt, who was musically active, particularly from the 1970s until his death in 1984. He taught himself to play his instruments—guitar, banjo, violin, and harmonica. He dedicated his life to music, but after a lack of success, he took his own life.

To support young Sylt musicians, Henner's parents, Henner Sr. and Frauke Krogh, established the Henner Krogh Prize. They donated their assets to the municipality of Sylt in the form of the Henner Krogh Foundation for the Promotion of Sylt Musicians, ensuring the continuation of the prize and the continued support of Sylt's music scene even after their deaths.

Henner Krogh
Henner Krogh Prize
Henner Krogh Foundation

Henner Krogh

The most important milestones in his life

Child in suit stands in front of decorated Christmas tree.

Five musicians play together with guitars, banjo and zither in the living room.

Henner Krogh plays banjo, a KORK poster in the background.

Listen to “The Black Snail”

Henner Krogh plays the violin during a performance in front of microphones.

Listen to “The Wraggle Taggle Gipsy O”

Henner Krogh plays guitar on the beach in a summer atmosphere.

Three musicians with violin, banjo and guitar at a hay bale.

Listen to “Angeline the Baker”

Two musicians play violin and banjo in front of a wooden hut.

Listen to “Don’t you rock me Daddio.”

Henner Krogh sits in the grass and plays the banjo.

companion

Friends and acquaintances talk about Henner

Jörn Ingwersen

The Sylt musician Jörn Ingwersen knew Henner casually from school and accompanied Henner in his first musical steps.

Frank Rosemann

Frank Rosemann talks about their time together in the folk band KORK.

Pete Sage

Pete Sage, member of the band Santiano, talks about his time on Sylt, meeting Henner and their time together at KORK.

Markus Gieppner

As part of the Sylt music scene at the time, Markus Gieppner talks about Henner’s talent.

Stefan Kiefer

Roommate and close friend: Stefan Kiefer talks about Henner and their time together in Hamburg.

Dörte Lindner-Schmidt

Dörte Lindner-Schmidt, Henner's former girlfriend, talks about Henner's last year, his life outside of music and his relationship with his parents.

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This trip changed his life completely.

Dörte Lindner-Schmidt

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Henner Krogh Prize

Highlight of the Sylt music scene

Every year will 5.555 euros in prize money, as well as the Reinhard Mey Special Prize for the best German-language contribution in the amount of EUR 3.000 – a major event for the Sylt music scene. Some musicians will be performing on a big stage for the first time.

Former participants include Ina Müller and Edda Schnittgard as “Queen B.”, Arne Gedigk from “RADAU!”, Moira Serfling from “Nervling” and Leon Kraack, guitarist of Alli Neumann.

The beginnings

The idea for the Henner Krogh Prize was developed. At this time, a foundation was already being laid that would continue beyond the Kroghs' deaths.

The 1st Henner Krogh Prize with more than 450 visitors in the Alter Kursaal (winner: Duo Guitavio: Erk Böteführ & Hans-Peter Möller).

The Sylt Shanty Choir receives a special prize.

The remaining Kork members will perform in the supporting program.

Uwe Tiedjen begins to support the Kroghs in organizing and carrying out the event.

Queen B. wins the award, Bendix takes second place.

Frauke Krogh dies. Ina Müller and Bendix also sang at the funeral.

Following the death of Frauke Krogh, the Henner Krogh Prize has been cancelled for the first time.

The award is supplemented by a special prize for the best German-language contribution, donated by Reinhard Mey.

Uwe Tiedjen hands over the organization to Ron Glauth. He brings with him several modernizations and innovations, such as band profiles, backstage interviews, and renowned professional musicians on the jury.

A one-time special prize is donated by Sylt1: The shooting of a music video went to Smear Jam Bread.

Introduction of a public vote

Introduction of the winner’s trophy “Henner”

Special prize donated by Öger Akgün: Recording in the recording studio (Winner: Zaynab)

Ron Glauth hands over the organization of the award to Annika Feldmann

© Holger Widera
© Sylt Connected
© Henner-Krogh-Stiftung
© Ronald Glauth
© Henner-Krogh-Stiftung

Til today

Uwe Tiedjen

After the initial years, Uwe Tiedjen supported Frauke and Henner Krogh Sr. in organizing and implementing the award. Until 2013, he coordinated and moderated the award and served as chairman of the foundation's board of trustees.

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Man with baseball cap and guitar sits on chair and looks into the camera.

Ron Glauth

Ron Glauth reports on his time as organizer of the award.

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Annika Feldmann

Annika Feldmann is the current coordinator of the award. She shares what makes the award special and what she hopes for its future.

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Do you also want to participate in the Henner Krogh Award?

More information about the application

Henner Krogh Foundation

to promote Sylt musicians

The Henner Krogh Foundation was established in 1998 after the death of Henner Krogh Sr. The foundation is administered by the municipality of Sylt. The board of trustees meets several times a year to decide on funding applications and opportunities for Sylt musicians and the Sylt music scene.

1987: After his death, his parents, Frauke and Henner Krogh Sr., signed a contract of inheritance with the then city of Westerland regarding their estate, including the house at Friedrichstraße 15 – today the location of the GOSCH restaurant. Memorial room for Henner Krogh can be visited there.
1998: Henner Krogh sen. dies and the Henner Krogh Foundation for the promotion of Sylt musicians is founded.
2001: Establishment of the Music workshop Rantum in cooperation with the ADS Gerd-Lausen-Haus
2007: The 20th award will not take place due to a lack of participants. Instead, the Henner Krogh Foundation is organizing the “Stage in the Park” as part of the city festival.
2018: flutsound – Henner Krogh² Anniversary event at the Meerkabarett to celebrate 20 years of the Henner Krogh Foundation and 30 years of the Henner Krogh Award (supported by Sylt entrepreneur Öger Akgün)
2021: Introduction of “Ögers Music Camp”
2024: Open Air in the Town Hall Park. For three days, the 25th anniversary the Henner Krogh Foundation celebrated with numerous bands.
2025: Markus Gieppner replaces Uwe Tiedjen as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Interested in the Henner Krogh Foundation?

Uwe Tiedjen

As long-standing Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Uwe Tiedjen
crucially supports the Sylt music scene.

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Markus Gieppner

In 2025, Markus Gieppner took over as Chairman of the Board of Trustees
by Uwe Tiedjen.

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Ron Glauth

Ron Glauth, chairman of the Sylt Bands Association, explains how the Henner Krogh Foundation is shaping the Sylt music scene beyond the sponsorship award.

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The motto of the Family Weeks 2025 is:

Make the island your dream concert!

To the family week program

Poster for the Sylt Family Weeks Autumn 2025 with a green violin, colorful stars, and event information.