Christmas market, memorial day, summer festivals and blowing the New Year: the trumpet choir of the Protestant Church of the Redeemer has enriched life in the city and community for 50 years.
The success story began with a quintet.
This weekend the wind players are celebrating their anniversary.
Fürstenfeldbruck -
When Eugen Richter came to the district town as a Protestant pastor in 1971, he wanted a trumpet choir to frame church services and solemn occasions.
The idea was born.
On Christmas Eve 1971 a quintet played in the Church of the Redeemer.
Since then, more and more members have joined.
The choir grew to 25 people within a decade.
Today there are even more, reports Alexander Richter, son of the former pastor and chairman of the trombone choir alongside Margit Horger: "Our number of members in Bavaria is well on average."
One reason for the success is the familiar character that is cultivated in the evangelical trombone choir.
"The families were always a core in which the whole thing developed further," says Roland Guttendörfer, one of the founding members.
The Richter family is an example of family tradition. Pastor Eugen Richter did not let a rehearsal end without a little prayer. Wife Hannelore Richter - also there from the start - as a religion teacher at the school on Niederbronner Weg, enthused many children for wind instruments. “The mixture of classical and modern brass music was and is very important,” she says. Alexander Richter continues this task. “With a good team,” as he emphasizes.
Günther Dietrich, another founding member, is a defining factor in the trombone choir of the Church of the Redeemer.
And not only there: Dietrich also played a key role in the continuation, development and high musical quality of other trombone choirs such as that of the Gnadenkirche or in Puchheim.
His secret recipe: “Maintain a good level.” With this secret of success, the trombone choir has not lost its attraction.
At the same time, the 81-year-old remains a role model for the members: “What is special about him is that he always comes to rehearsals on time,” says Hannelore Richter.
"That is his trademark."
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Public appearances have been part of the program for the trombone choir since it was founded.
The photo shows the young wind players at a concert in 1981.
© Trumpet Choir
The trombone choir has been a sought-after ensemble since it was founded.
He makes music at community festivals, at Protestant church conventions, but also at the commemoration of the 1972 Olympic attack, and in the presence of the mayor on January 1st, he starts the new year.
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The founding members include (from left) Günther Dietrich, Hannelore Richter and Roland Guttendörfer.
© Abbrev
Several ensembles rehearse in the Erlöserkirche on Mondays. With a familiar character and a sense of community, the trumpet choir survived even the strongest lockdown phases of the corona pandemic. Admittedly, improvisational art at a level that was in no way inferior to that of musical performances was sometimes necessary, says Alexander Richter. "We rehearsed outside and at a distance." At weddings or funerals, there were only two people who performed. But the people always gratefully received it and perceived the performances as a ray of hope and a ray of hope. But what also applied to the choir members: "We always realized how much we love doing all of this," emphasizes Alexander Richter.
The corona pandemic has further strengthened the group's community.
“So many live this choir in such a wonderful way,” enthuses Roland Guttendörfer.
“You can feel that with every fiber, with every note.” Looking ahead to the next 50 years, the founding member says: You don't have to worry about the trombone choir.
The anniversary concert
takes place under the motto "gold tones" on Saturday, October 23rd, at 7 pm in the Erlöserkirche on Stockmeierweg.
The festive service will be celebrated there on October 24th at 9:30 a.m.
