Rolf Beck studied conducting with Helmuth Rilling in the Musikhochschule in Frankfurt, and there he passed his artistic final exam in choral conducting. In 1972, he set up the vocal ensemble Marburg, which soon became one of the leading choirs in Germany. He received the first prize in the International Choir Competition in Cork, Ireland and the second prize in the National Choir Competition in Germany.
Rolf Beck has also gained recognition as conductor during his numerous recordings for radio and CDs.
In 1983 he founded the choir of Bamberger Symphoniker and the instrumental ensemble Concerto Bamberg, with which he has successfully continued his music career in Germany and abroad. After he took up the post of Director of the NDR Choir and Orchestra in Hamburg, he retained his position of Director of the Bamberger Symphoniker Choir. In 1998, he took the additional position of Director of Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festivals, whose manager he has been since 2002. To complement the rich tradition of the Orchesterakademie, he also established the Chorakademie, which enables singers studying at German and European higher schools to complete their education.