After more than 20 years in service at the Wiesn: the conductor reveals what is now going very differently in the marquee 

Created: 10/06/2022 12:52 p.m

The Karlsfeld Kapellmeister Reinhard Hagitte (right in front) and the midday cast of his Augustinerfestkapelle played sophisticated brass music at the Munich Oktoberfest this year.

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Karlsfelder Reinhard Hagitte has been head of the Augustiner Oktoberfestkapelle since 2001.

During this time he has experienced a lot.

After the end of this year's Wiesn, the 68-year-old looks back.

Karlsfeld – he was on duty at the Oktoberfest for 17 days.

From 12:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Reinhard Hagitte from Karlsfeld conducted his Oktoberfest band in the Augustiner tent.

Without even weakening for half a day.

In an interview, the 68-year-old tells how he experienced the Oktoberfest this year, what he thinks of Oktoberfest hits like Layla and what you should pay attention to as a traditional brass band.

Mr. Hagitte, the Oktoberfest is over.

How was the last Oktoberfest day for you?

And how does the first day off after your Mammut mission feel?

Reinhard Hagitte: The atmosphere was very good.

I was pleased that I was honored for my commitment by the Vollmer host family.

Now I have to sort the notes and put them away.

I'm slowly coming back to everyday life.

It was pretty stressful.

Oktoberfest in Munich: Conductor on duty for 17 days - "I'm slowly getting back to everyday life"

And also a great physical effort.

How did you do that?

I try to stay fit and healthy all year round.

We have a half hour break every two hours.

I tend to eat light, a noodle soup or liver dumpling soup.

How did you experience the Wiesn this year?

We had consistently positive feedback.

It went perfectly for us.

I'm already a bit stricken with my voice.

And your head is still pounding.

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What is it like when the band sings "Die Krüge hoch"?

Do you really drink with them every time?

It used to be like that, the musicians really got there.

We tend to drink water or Spezi or a non-alcoholic one.

Otherwise you can't keep it up.

Since 2001 you have been head of the Augustiner Oktoberfest band.

How did you get this conductor's position?

My predecessors Ernst Hanisch and Richard Schäffer already knew me.

When Schäffer asked me: 'Would you like to be my successor?' I didn't say no.

In those days, the Kapellmeister were highly respected people who were adored by women.

But that is no longer the case today.

In those days, the Kapellmeister were highly respected people who were adored by women.

But that is no longer the case today.

Reinhard Hagitte, head of the Augustinerfestkapelle since 2001

Where are the members of the band from?

It's widely spread: from Freilassing, Wolnzach, Ingolstadt, Weilheim, Munich, also from the Karlsfeld Big Band.

Some go home every evening, some take a room in Munich.

It's important to me that they all have fun while playing.

Then you notice that too.

Wiesn conductor in an interview: "We also play Layla sometimes.

But you have to be careful and set boundaries."

What do you think of Oktoberfest hits like Layla?

It's all in the mix.

In the afternoon there are a few pieces with big band sound, such as Glenn Miller's "In the Mood".

We only serve the party line from 5 p.m., 6 p.m.

We also play Layla sometimes, you can't get away with that.

But you have to be careful and set boundaries.

Even young people aren't all ballermann-like, they don't deserve it at all.

They also like sophisticated medleys, for example by Nena and her 99 balloons.

And Sweet Caroline or Country Roads always works.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Dachau newsletter.

What does the Augustinerfestkapelle like to play most?

We have everything in our repertoire.

At 12 sharp the first note cracks, that is the march "Stammtischbrüder".

The mood is already good there, with the midday occupation of twelve people.

At 3pm we are 24 and at full strength.

The Bavarian parade march really heats things up.

The traditional Bavarian-Bohemian brass music in the best sense of the word is well received by the people, including the young.

Bräurosl scandal: the conductor makes it clear – "I find it impossible, I feel sorry for the people"

The audience at the Bräurosl saw things differently this year.

The Kapellmeister Josef Menzl was only allowed to play with his brass band during the day.

What do you say to your colleague's quasi-expulsion?

I find it impossible, I feel sorry for the people, this is an excellent band.

That could have been better clarified in advance.

They have set their limits and you have to accept that.

Otherwise, tradition will go down the drain.

Interview: Elfriede Peil

You can find more current news from the district of Dachau at Merkur.de/Dachau.

The Augustinian Festival Chapel

The Augustiner Oktoberfest chapel is the oldest Oktoberfest chapel.

It is the only festival band at the Munich Oktoberfest to take part in the big costume parade.

Since 2001, Reinhard Hagitte has been head of the traditional Oktoberfest band, which values ​​Bavarian and Munich tradition.

In his home town of Karlsfeld, Hagitte is known as the leader of the brass band and big band.

He studied trombone at the Richard Strauss Conservatory.

Among other things, Hagitte was leader of the brass band in Unterföhring and the trombone choir of the Church of Grace.

The Karlsfelder gained Oktoberfest experience from 1971 in the chapel of the Schützenzelt, later also in the Bräurosl and Hackerzelt.

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