Albert Osterhammer was born in 1966 in Prien on the Chiemsee. He received his first clarinet instruction at the Grassau Music School, where he later taught. In 1985 he began his studies at the Munich Music Academy as a pupil of Gerd Starke. Following the conclusion of a master class in 1991 he received a scholarship to the Karajan Foundation of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, continuing his studies with Karl Leister. One year later he began his first engagement at the Frankfurt Opera as bass clarinetist. He has been carrying out the same function with the Munich Philharmonic since 1995.