The percussion students Niklas Weiskopf (13) and Julius Schatz (14) won the 2nd prize in the national competition Jugend musiziert.
An interview about her success in Bremen.
Dorfen / Moosen
- Niklas Weiskopf (13) from Dorfen and Julius Schatz (14) from Moosen won 2nd prize at the national competition Jugend musiziert in Bremen.
You are one of the best drummers in Germany in this category.
They have been playing together since 2019 and can be heard on Saturday, October 30th, at the Seniors' Day at the grammar school in Dorfen.
In an interview, the two young people report on their great success.
Eleven ensembles from all over Germany were invited to the competition.
Is this your first prize together?
Niklas:
No, we took part in the Dorfen city competition together in May 2019 and won a first prize with full points.
How does the national competition work?
Niklas:
Due to the pandemic, the state competition took place online.
We have sent a video to the jury as a competition entry.
We received great feedback throughout Bavaria and were forwarded to the national competition in Bremen with a first prize.
Were you excited or cool during foreplay?
Niklas:
Oh, we were excited.
And we didn't just sweat because of the heat in Bremen!
We rehearsed a lot, and then you have to get to the point in foreplay.
How do you have to imagine a foreplay?
Julius:
Jugend musiziert puts together a jury to play a set repertoire in front of.
We were rated by five professors from music universities all over Germany.
Did you just play the drums?
Niklas:
Our program lasted about twelve minutes.
We played one piece on the snare, one on the drum set, and two with marimbas.
Julius:
You are free to decide on the program, but you have to adhere to certain guidelines, such as at least one slow movement.
Are you satisfied with your result?
Niklas:
Oh yes, we were really happy.
That's something special - it's a Germany-wide competition.
And the many hours of preparation were really worth it.
Julius:
First of all, we prepared a video for the national competition at the end of July because it was not yet certain whether the competition would take place online or in person.
As soon as the video was in the can - and that was really time-consuming - we had to plan for a live performance.
That meant: practicing alone again, rehearsing together.
And that during the holidays.
Were there any changes due to Corona?
Julius:
Yes, the competition was postponed from May to September.
This time it took place behind closed doors.
It was a shame that we couldn't listen to the other ensembles at all.
We had to play from a distance, and the jury sat between panes of Plexiglas.
How was the trip to Bremen for you?
Niklas:
Very exciting, but also funny.
We packed our mums and our drum teacher Roland Gallner in a car and made the long journey to Bremen.
Thank goodness the organizer provided the instruments, otherwise we would have had to rent a large van.
Because our drums and marimbas are not exactly handy.
Julius:
We were out for three days and stayed in a hotel that was very centrally located.
So we could also explore the city in the evening.
We really wanted to take a photo with the Bremen Town Musicians.
Did your parents want you to learn an instrument? Or yourself?
Julius:
I chose that myself.
Drums are a cool instrument, I started taking lessons in fifth grade.
And I've also been learning marimba for two years.
Niklas:
I started with the piano, and then I actually wanted to learn the tuba or bassoon.
But since I was too young to play a wind instrument at the age of six, my mom and my older brother suggested drums for me.
How should you go on with your music career?
Julius:
It's in the stars.
But through the intensive preparation for the competitions, I've learned a lot in the last few months, and it's really fun!
Niklas:
My dream is to become a percussionist.
