At the age of 18, Simon Bauer took up the position of church musician in the parish of St. Michael Poing.
He has been the organist here for a year now, his first assessment:
Poing – Simon Bauer is probably the youngest organist in the history of the Catholic parish of St. Michael Poing: A year ago, the 19-year-old started the part-time job, his first assessment: “I like it very much and I would like to stay longer.
For a prospective organist, this is a great position in a very nice and lively parish.” Bauer, born and raised in Erding, is in his third semester studying church music in Munich.
After graduating from high school two years ago, he completed his training as a part-time church musician (C course) at the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
At the age of 13 or 14 he accompanied church services on the organ.
He says he came to play the organ through the children's choir and his piano teacher.
Poing: organ service and choir direction
That's not the only thing he does in Poing.
He took over the existing youth band and last year started to set up a children's choir.
There is also a schola, a small choir for Gregorian chants.
In Poing, this currently consists of six or seven men, "all a little older," adds the church musician.
He has set himself the goal of recruiting one or two younger people in the near future.
A performance by the Poinger Schola is planned for Lent.
Develop and expand the children's choir
Simon Bauer started to set up a children's choir last year, initially with a view to attending church services at Christmas.
Because the project was well received by the children ("it's a lot of fun, so they asked if and when it will continue"), he will continue the children's choir from January 28th.
Then there is rehearsal every Friday in the Rupert Mayer parish church, starting at 3.30 p.m.
Because there is enough space to comply with the Corona distance and hygiene rules.
When the corona pandemic is over or the situation allows it, he wants to expand the children's choir and possibly set up a second group as a youth choir.
Concert on the Mühleisen organ
The young church musician reports that he also enjoys working with the youth band.
"We also play jazz and other genres."
Simon Bauer himself gave a concert on the Mühleisen organ in the old church of St. Michael at the Poinger Long Night of Music in September 2021.
An organ that is very well known and appreciated, especially in professional circles and among organists, for its quality and sound.
New parish church without proper church organ
The complete opposite is in the new parish church Seliger Rupert Mayer: a digital organ.
"Musically everything is available, but the sound comes from loudspeakers," says organist Simon Bauer.
An organ without organ pipes.
Or, as the 19-year-old says: "There is no contact with the whistle."
Architecturally, the Rupert Mayer Church is exceptional and impressive, but acoustically it is not ideal, Bauer judges.
This is particularly noticeable when singing because the room is very high.
"A lot gets lost," says the church musician.
It doesn't matter, it doesn't change his plan and desire to stay and work in the parish for a longer period of time.
And, who knows: Perhaps Simon Bauer will be there when a proper organ with pipes is installed in the parish church.
For financial reasons, however, this will probably take many years.
