As of: February 6, 2024, 3:00 p.m
By: Sebastian Grauvogl
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Loves the diversity of church music: Benedikt Meurers on the organ of the Miesbach parish church.
© Thomas Plettenberg
Actually, one could almost speak of a generational change at the organ: Benedikt Meurers, who is only 31 years old, has taken over the position of Miesbach church musician.
Miesbach
- Actually, one could almost speak of a generational change at the organ: Benedikt Meurers, who is only 31 years old, has taken over the position of church musician in the parishes of Miesbach and Parsberg, which had become vacant due to retirement.
For Meurers himself, it is the second professional position after Reit im Winkl, but the first with the so-called A level.
We asked the 31-year-old in an interview how he came to the city parish church, what his first impression of the organ and choirs was and what musical accents he wants to set in the coming months and years.
Mr. Meurers, to Maria Lichtmess last Friday you had your church service premiere on the organ in the Miesbach parish church. How did it go?
Benedikt Meurers:
I think everything went well.
At least I already knew the organ and the acoustics in the church from auditioning for it in the application process.
What is your impression?
Benedikt Meurers:
The organ has a good keystroke and a beautiful sound.
The same applies to the instrument in Parsberg, where I will play regularly.
But the choirs were almost even more important to me when I decided to go to Miesbach.
I see myself more as a choir director than as a keyboardist.
How is the Parish of the Assumption positioned here?
Benedikt Meurers:
Really very good.
With the 30-member church choir and the 15-member jazz choir, we can cover a wide spectrum here.
I was particularly pleased that there is also a Gregorian Schola.
A lot of emphasis was placed on this at the university, but in practice the chorales, which were mostly composed over 1000 years ago, are rarely performed in church services.
Here in Miesbach, however, it happens regularly – great!
What is your personal focus when it comes to church music? Do you have a favorite composer or an era that you particularly appreciate?
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Benedikt Meurers:
I actually have a rather broad base.
Basically, I am already at home in classical music.
There are stirring things in romance.
When it comes to composers, Bach is of course unbeatable.
On the other hand, I also appreciate modern pieces that I can sing with the jazz choir.
Gospels are included here, for example.
How much of this can actually be accommodated in a church service? And how big is the risk of overwhelming trade fair visitors?
Benedikt Meurers:
You need a feel for the process of the Mass, because the liturgical part also takes up a large part.
We can no longer overschedule anyway because Pastor Michael Mannhardt's schedule is tight due to his responsibility for the two parish associations of Miesbach and Hausham.
Even for festive services, an hour and a quarter is the maximum.
I think it's all the nicer that you can also use the church for a concert.
Is there anything planned here yet?
Benedikt Meurers:
In March I would like to perform something outside of church services for the first time, and then again at regular intervals after that.
I think it's a nice opportunity to attract people to church who wouldn't otherwise be part of the regular audience.
What was it like for you personally? How did you get into church music?
Benedikt Meurers:
Quite classically about playing the piano, which I saw my big brother do.
My teacher also worked as an organist in the church in my home village near Traunstein.
When he suddenly died, I represented him.
I was just 16 years old and still a bit overwhelmed.
But my, then “Praise the Lord” was heard quite often (
laughs
).
Nevertheless, you must have enjoyed it, otherwise you wouldn't have gone to the vocational school for music in Altötting, right?
Benedikt Meurers:
Absolutely.
That's where the initial spark towards church music came.
I got my high school diploma and then did my bachelor's degree in Catholic church music at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
I then went to the University of Music and Theater in Munich for my master's degree.
This meant I could then apply for the so-called A positions as a church musician.
Because my first position in Reit im Winkl was initially only a B position with 16.5 hours per week, I also took on piano and singing students as well as the management of the Grassau and Unterwössen youth choir and the Wasserburg Chamber Orchestra.
I would also like to continue the latter from Miesbach.
Also read: Church musician at the age of 15: Miesbach pastor's daughter already accompanies church services
So you have already moved to Miesbach?
Benedikt Meurers:
Yes, fortunately we were able to get an apartment right next to the church through the parish.
My wife commutes to her job as a music teacher in Burgkirchen an der Alz twice a week, but the travel time from Reit im Winkl was similar.
Since she plays in Walter Kohlhauf's harp ensemble, we already had a connection to Miesbach.
Sounds like you're having a good time here.
Benedikt Meurers:
Absolutely.
The proximity to the mountains was definitely a big criterion for us.
People speak the dialect here, and otherwise the world still seems to be in order.
Then does it also fit humanly with the singers in the choirs?
Benedikt Meurers:
For sure.
Everyone I have met so far is open-minded, friendly and has beautiful voices.
They didn't even hold it against me that I overwhelmed them a bit with a six-part piece at the first rehearsal as part of the application process (
laughs
).
How do rehearsals go for you?
Benedikt Meurers:
We start with physical and posture exercises, followed by singing without text and exercises for good singing technique.
Then we dive into the pieces.
In sections we work on intonation, pronunciation, sound and musical parameters.
We usually practice the individual parts first before we put everything together.
Keyword: Putting things together: In your opinion, what is still missing from the entire body of church music in Miesbach?
Benedikt Meurers:
Primarily a children's and youth choir.
I would like to change that soon.
Maybe as a first step with a project with kindergarten or school children.
Singing is fun and has no age limits - neither up nor down.
Of course, this applies not only to our choirs, but also to everyone sitting in the nave.
sg