In 2024, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the music band Oberau is on the program.
But the ensemble is currently plagued by other concerns.
It is struggling with personnel difficulties and concerns about young talent.
Oberau – In two years it will be time: The big anniversary of the music band Oberau is coming up. In 1924, the formation was founded in the "Untermberg" inn - and the 100-year-old should now be properly celebrated. It is understandable that those responsible are already thinking about how the festival will take place in two years' time. However, the board of directors of the band is currently dealing with personnel difficulties and concerns about young talent. "On the occasion of the 100th anniversary, it must be ensured that the music band Oberau will continue to exist. To do this, we have to increase the number of staff, and things should continue after that,” demands Martin Daisenberger. one thing to be clear in advance: the music band Oberau is not on the verge of collapse. It's just that the chairman wants the ensemble to be reasonably positioned for the anniversary in two years."We should do the 100-year anniversary with more local musicians," says Daisenberger. In addition to the 22 honorary members, there are currently 23 active musicians in Oberau - six of them women. However, only twelve of the 23 active members come from Oberau.
Sure, those responsible are grateful that musicians from other communities enrich the local formation. "They have been associated with the place for decades, come from Schlehdorf, Murnau or Garmisch-Partenkirchen," emphasizes Peter Fink, assessor of the Oberau chapel. In the past, members of the music corps, professional military musicians, also played here. That helped the band to make ends meet. "But ideally, the young people come from their own place," says Daisenberger.
Fink describes the shortcoming of the insufficient cast of the Oberau music band: "We lack complete registers," complains the 45-year-old, when choosing the pieces, the formation is usually severely restricted. "We are dependent on temporary help from other bands," he reports, but on celebratory occasions, such as the district festival, these substitute musicians play in their own ensembles. Then there is a shortage of personnel in the Oberau formation. If one or more musicians are also ill, it becomes very manageable in the ranks of the band.
About 15 years ago there was an attempt to introduce a youth band.
"It was just an attempt.
It went well for two to three years, there were even performances,” says Fink.
Young people from Oberau and from neighboring communities such as Ettal, Eschenlohe and Farchant took part.
But the movement came to nothing.
Either the offspring stopped making music, few others returned to their own bands.
Only three children and young people are currently being trained in the Oberau music band.
And the negative experiences didn't stop: the people of Oberau were invited to the information day, they could see the band's rehearsal room and try out instruments.
“In the end, we only got one of eight applicants,” says Fink resignedly.
Daisenberger and Fink are puzzling over the reasons for the staff shortage. The two know that there are also youth problems at other clubs. But just learning an instrument and sheet music, taking lessons, practicing a lot: "For many it's too much effort," adds Daisenberger. In sports, faster successes can also be seen. Other causes: the constantly increasing range of leisure activities for children and young people, the pressure at school, the unwillingness of parents to give their offspring access to music - all of this means that the rehearsal room at the Oberau ski lift does not fill up properly. In addition, Corona has been added in the past two years. There was no music for many months and the practice room was closed. “The camaraderie, the conversations. We all miss that,” complains Fink.
The community of Oberau provides help for the musicians at all levels.
"The best support" is received by the chapel, which Fink appreciates highly.
On the one hand, the rehearsal room has been used since 1999, and the community also bears the costs for the music lessons for the young people.
Nevertheless: The music band Oberau needs more staff.
“We need young people, we need mature middle-aged musicians,” Fink makes an urgent appeal to the population.
Anyone interested in playing with the Oberau music band should send an email to peterfink@web.de or call 01 71/5 86 42 23.