Interview with Tölz church musician: Better singing with a mask than no singing at all

In the “How are you?” Series, we ask people from the district how they experience the unusual Corona times.

Today: The Tölz church musician Christoph Heuberger in conversation.

Bad Tölz -

During the Corona crisis, the church musician Christoph Heuberger from

has developed new forms of concerts that are compatible with the security requirements - and thus delighted his musical colleagues, such as the concert audience and worshipers.

Mr. Heuberger, how do you as the head of a large church and chamber choir deal with the fact that singing in the corona pandemic suddenly becomes a highly dangerous matter?

Christoph Heuberger:

It was of course shocking at first that choir singing not only strengthens the immune system and contributes to general health, but that this virus is transmitted as often as in night clubs, pubs and football stadiums.

But I think we learned quickly: Singing in small ensembles with a distance of more than two meters, constant ventilation, no social gathering after rehearsals and performances, that has become a matter of course for us.

We can accommodate up to eight singers on the gallery of the parish church and we also experiment again and again: At church fairs, we sang with 16 people, spread over the two oratorios and the chancel, with a strong sonic effect.

Since the end of October we have only been doing voice training in small groups and short units at a distance of three meters.

I would like to point out a paradox: Despite the spatial distance, I feel a special closeness to the participants.

What is left of the concerts originally planned for this year, what had to be dropped?

Christoph Heuberger:

The lockdown from mid-March not only included the traditional passion concert of the chamber choir, but also the entire liturgical celebration of the Passion and Easter period, in which all choir groups are very closely involved.

Likewise the monthly organ music.

During this time I recorded organ music for the respective occasions and put it on our homepage;

a team of soloists from the chamber choir sang a passion for Good Friday, the youth choir recorded an Easter greeting and posted it online.

After the first opening, Dvorak's major project “Stabat Mater” planned for October was presented in a shortened duration and with a reduced cast on September 19 and 20 in two very moving performances.

And on October 17th, the chamber choir and a string trio performed evening music.

Have you in the meantime also considered letting the crisis pass by in the literal sense of the word?

Christoph Heuberger:

No, I never considered that.

Service cannot actually be celebrated without singing.

Church musician Christoph Heuberger

What is the importance of singing in the church environment?

Christoph Heuberger:

Service cannot actually be celebrated without singing, so it is not only an "embellishment" of the service, but an essential part.

It is a great challenge for us to use the chant in the church in such a way that it is placed and reduced so that no one is endangered.

Better singing with a mask than no singing at all!

In your opinion, will cultural life be able to recover in such a way that the level before the pandemic can be reached again?

Christoph Heuberger:

Of course, we are very concerned with this question and I can only say: I hope so.

In our perception, the pandemic began very suddenly: on March 11th I held a “normal” choir rehearsal and on March 13th everything was canceled.

Unfortunately, it will not end so suddenly and abruptly, first of all we have to come to terms with it for a long time.

That is why I think it is very important that we, who are active in cultural mediation, exhaust all possibilities in order to maintain the longing for art and spirituality - a basic human need - with imagination and courage.

After all, artists and the public allow cultural life to flourish together.

This community is currently being put to the test, but I am optimistic that new things will grow again after a period of privation.

Is culture being properly valued, especially in times of crisis?

Christoph Heuberger:

That ties in with the previous question: If it is desired that the diverse cultural life continues, it must also be prevented that many artists have to give up their profession and look for other employment opportunities.

The same applies here: Appreciation through clapping and warm words is certainly very beneficial and is sufficient if what is necessary for a living continues to flow automatically.

In order for a freelance artist to maintain his level, he has to train constantly, even in the pandemic, but has no or almost no income during this time.

But the artist is helped more than with financial donations by not depriving him of all performance opportunities.

What are your plans for 2021?

Christoph Heuberger:

The coming year will probably still be characterized by short-term changes.

I am planning a passion concert on Palm Sunday and am considering another concert with choir and orchestra for the end of September.

Otherwise there will be many small, spontaneous offers.

And your personal answer to the initial question: How are you?

Christoph Heuberger:

Thanks, I'm fine.

As a musician with a permanent position, I really can't complain.

I definitely don't have less work, but I also get my salary - as before.

But what really worries me is the question of whether politics and society will succeed in finding a fair balance between the very many who suffer little or no material damage and those who, through no fault of their own, stand before the ruins of their existence.

Sabine Closer

Also read:

Jeannette Stahlberg from the Tölzer Kulturverein Lust: "Audience will come back hungrier"

Interview with Sabine Pfister: The Lenggrieser "KKK" will come back to life after the Corona period

Heads of the Tölzer Marionettentheater: "We live from the reserve"