St. Ottilien – The St. Ottilien School Wind Orchestra received a special honor: as the lead band, they were allowed to lead the Steuben Parade in New York City and play the American and German anthems in front of the grandstand.
The young musicians experienced an intensive musical journey in mid-September in the "Big Apple". In addition to city tours through Harlem and Bronx and a visit to a musical by "Chicago", the Ottilian musicians won the hearts of many a New Yorker.
The girls from Cathedral High School in Manhattan were over the moon when the young Germans gave a short concert the day before the parade.
The ABBA medley was the best, says orchestra member Jakob Kellerer.
The headmistress spontaneously waltzed to "Moonriver".
The school orchestra had also planned a small surprise event for New York pedestrians.
In the middle of Time Square, the musicians gave a 20-minute Bavarian flash mob concert.
The listeners were very impressed by the brass band music, reports Kellerer.
You have met the taste of the Americans well.
Another highlight: on the evening before the Steuben Parade, part of the school orchestra was allowed to play at the gala banquet of the traditional music event.
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Main act at the Steubenparde in New York City: the young wind players from St. Ottilien play the American and German anthems in front of the grandstand.
© St. Ottilien School Wind Orchestra
The most important date, however, was the Steuben Parade itself. At the start, the students performed a potpourri from the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” during the festive service in St. Patrick Church.
And at 12 noon the parade started.
As the first German orchestra, the Ottilianer lead the music procession and play the German and American national anthems in front of the grandstand - a great honor in the USA.
Together with the New York Police Band, the young brass players said goodbye with a brisk march.
