Karl Rathgeber, born July 28, 1950, in Offenbach am Main, Germany, is a German church musician, choir director, and university professor. He studied at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and began his career as deanery church musician at the Burgkirche Dreieichenhain. Rathgeber served as music director at the Protestant Seminary in Tübingen and director of the Academy for Protestant Church Music in Bayreuth. He was also professor of conducting in the University of Church Music Bayreuth from 2000 to 2013. Notable works include Puccini: Messa Di Gloria - Verdi: Stabat Mater - Te Deum (2008). He received significant recognition, including being named Director of Church Music in 1995 and receiving the Bavarian Constitutional Medal in Silver in 2015.