Marching through the streets of Mediterranean towns in dirndls, short lederhosen and jackets and putting on a rich brass music sound – that’s something. When the members of the Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn brass band are on tour beyond the Bavarian borders, as at the Fiesta Mayor in Vilafranca de Penedès, Catalonia, the saying goes: may the traditional costume be with you. It is just as indispensable as the tuba, trumpet and baton.
As an “important musical ambassador for the district of Munich”, the brass band, founded in 1980, has gained a reputation over the many years of its existence that extends far beyond the municipal boundaries, and last autumn received the culture prize of the district of Munich, which was awarded for the first time. “We were very happy about that,” says conductor and musical director Konrad Sepp. Of course, international concert appearances are not planned in these times, the members of the brass band Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn, which is also regularly present at the costume and riflemen’s procession to the Oktoberfest in non-pandemic times, are now looking forward to the first major appearance after a two-year break on their traditional Podium towards: The multi-purpose hall in Höhenkirchen is the scene of the spring concert this weekend, which of course takes place in three editions and instead of in large orchestras with various smaller ensembles.
“Great anticipation and quiet anxiety about whether everything will work out” – this is how Ingrid Sepp, who is responsible for public relations at the brass band, describes the mood. 13 formations will perform, ranging from flute and clarinet ensembles to saxophone quartets and the large brass ensemble that plays in the last concert on Sunday evening. The danger that one or the other player will have to be quarantined by then is not small. “We’re basically rehearsing with a double bottom,” says Konrad Sepp. This means that if someone is absent at short notice, someone else who has already practiced the relevant part could step in.
The band, which won the district’s culture prize, gave open-air and online concerts during the pandemic
Konrad Sepp, who has been in charge of the brass band since 2000 and is a distinguished tuba player – among other things he is a regular member of the Unterbiberger Hofmusik – will be very busy on both concert days. He is part of the performance of seven of the 13 announced ensembles. “I mainly play instead of conducting,” he says. “And I really hope that nothing happens to me.” So the tension is high these days, but beyond the risk of infection, Konrad Sepp is confident that the audience will be offered a high level.
As much as the pandemic has undermined and changed rehearsals and concerts over the past two years, it has had positive side effects, such as playing together on a smaller scale. “There is nothing better than rehearsing in an ensemble,” says Konrad Sepp, who, as a tubist, can draw on experience with such renowned ensembles as the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Bavarian State Orchestra. Working on subtleties and nuances instead of wallowing in the powerful orchestral sound – the individual virtuoso qualities would probably have improved, Sepp believes.
The restrictions of recent years have also been used in other ways, for example to improve the digital infrastructure (including online rehearsals and concerts). A decision was also made during this time about new rehearsal rooms for the brass band, which has around 200 active musicians of all ages and is valued for its work with young people. The institution with its four orchestras, three conductors (in addition to Sepp, Bernhard Willer and Sonja Weese) and chamber music formations will receive new premises in the planned extension of the grammar school, financed by the municipality.
But now, after a few smaller performances over the past two years (e.g. the picnic concerts on the Leonhardi-Wiese) and online concerts, the first thing to do is play bigger in front of an audience again. The program includes numerous classical compositions, but also jazz, bossa nova and film music, arranged for various ensembles. The concerts will take place on Saturday, April 9, starting at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, April 10, starting at 4 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Seating is free. The rows are arranged at a distance, masks are compulsory.
The tickets cost 14 euros in advance, reduced six euros: online at www.blaskapelle-hoehenkirchen-siegertsbrunn.de or about www.okticket.de, as well as at the Springer stationery (Squarra) ticket offices in Höhenkirchen and at Modellbau Vordermaier in Ottobrunn via okticket.de. Remaining tickets at the box office.