With its bike concerts, the choir "Just Voices" gives a corona-compliant sign of life - a small replacement for the originally planned big anniversary concert for the 20th anniversary.
St. Wolfgang
- “Just Voices” was founded 20 years ago.
For the anniversary of the young choir from St. Wolfgang with its around 30 singers, a big concert was planned in the Goldachhalle, as is the case every two years.
"We wanted to celebrate our 20th birthday with a big concert and enjoy a musical evening with our guests, but unfortunately that is not possible," explains choir director Anderl Hintermaier.
The corona pandemic and the associated requirements and hygiene measures would not allow a concert with around 900 listeners - "even if the music were so good for the soul".
In addition, the choir has barely been able to rehearse in the past year and a half. Usually there is a rehearsal every Tuesday evening, and there have never been longer breaks in the last 20 years, as Just Voices was always busy. Whether weddings, baptisms, church services or concert preparation - apart from a short break of two weeks after a big concert, there were no interruptions in the rehearsals.
A big concert every two years, with church and benefit concerts in between - the choir always had one goal in mind, and the fun of making music together was never neglected. “Corona brought everything to a standstill. The choirs in particular weren't allowed to rehearse at all very quickly. ”The 39-year-old choir director doesn't think much of digital rehearsals, as one has to struggle with delays and technical challenges. This might be an option for professional musicians, but rehearsals in the home office have nothing to do with having fun in a choir, says the trained wholesaler from St. Wolfgang, who is also an organist in his parish.
In the summer of 2020, rehearsals started again under strict conditions, no longer in their own rehearsal room as usual, but in the local churches.
"With a distance of two meters between the singers, this is more than difficult and not particularly effective, especially for an amateur choir," complains Hintermaier.
"But at least we could see each other again and sing together, we all missed that."
In October, however, it was over again: The renewed “hard lockdown” let Just Voices fall silent again.
It was not until the end of June, a good eight months later, that the singers resumed rehearsals, still strictly adhering to the hygiene protection measures.
“If possible, depending on the weather, we try to rehearse outside.
You get creative, if necessary we also connect our keyboard to the car battery and then sing somewhere in the country, ”says Hintermaier.
"However, participation in rehearsals is not yet at the old level and there was no common goal."
The members missed singing together, and the people missed a cultural offer that can be enjoyed in a relaxed and safe manner.
That is why members of Just Voices had the idea of organizing an open-air bike concert.
The idea: a musical journey through home with Just Voices.
The choir has been rehearsing for the bike concert for three weeks.
The plan: Just Voices welcomes the audience in front of the church in St. Wolfgang am Wolfgangsbrunnen.
After a short musical interlude, you cycle across the community.
The listeners cycle through the Goldach Valley with Just Voices. There is always a musical performance at six stops before we continue together by bike. Just Voices sings everything unplugged and open-air. "It is high time for music and some exercise, why not combine both while it is still possible?" Says Hintermaier. If someone cannot make the eight-kilometer route by bike, most of the stations can also be reached by car.
Just Voices do not know whether the offer will be accepted, but they just want to try.
“Even if we cycle and sing just for ourselves, we will have fun with it.
The joy that we can finally sing again and that we also have a goal is already palpable in the rehearsals, ”says the choirmaster.
“We keep an eye on current developments and react according to the applicable regulations.
In any case, we look forward to a couple of evenings together - because music connects hearts, senses and people.
And that's exactly what we all need again. "
Three dates:
Three dates are currently planned: Tuesday, August 31, and Wednesday, September 8, from 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 12, from 3 p.m.
If the weather is bad, there are replacement dates.
Further information will follow on the Internet at www.just-voices.de.
