Talent and talent pool

The talent and enthusiasm to make music is literally given to some at birth. As such, at times there are no less than nine musicians in the band belonging to Jakob Obkircher’s relatives, the chairman of the music band of Frangart.

After attending the excellent local music school nothing stands in the way of a membership in the music band.  „It’s a passion, a hobby, comradeship and compensation, yet also a commitment”, reminds Obkircher.  Because in addition to the numerous ecclesiastical and secular performances there are also the band practises which take place twice a week – before important concerts even more frequently. 

Fresh sounds on mild summer nights

Lots of people in the audience means maximum concentration for the music band. „This heightens the passion and joy to play music”, says Alexander Pircher. The baritone horn player is the chairman of the Citizens’ band St.Michael-Eppan. During the music nights at times there are performances in the music pavilion in the centre of the village, however „concerts in a manor or inner courtyard are particularly nice and also a special challenge. The acoustics are suddenly totally different”, Pircher comments. 

Sound and traditional costumes

The composition of the band members is also essential for the sound. „It’s important to have a balanced mixture of high and low brass, wood and percussion instruments”, explains Dominik Ebner.  The redbeard at the drum set is the chairman of the music band St.Pauls, the formation which stands out through its blue jackets and cylinder-shaped hats. In other respects the four music bands are similarly equipped.  The male traditional costume corresponds to the Upper Etsch Valley tradition and is indispensable for a befitting appearance and marks the special affiliation to the music band. „The traditional costume belongs to the music band and is lent to its members”, the chairman of St. Pauls explains.  The outfit costs up to 3000 Euros per person. The abdominal belt, embroidered by quill, costs an additional 1500 Euros. Nevertheless, the appearance is suitable and well received. 

A photo please!

„In summer there are lots of guests here from abroad or from big cities like Milan or Rome and they sometimes ask us for a shared photo”, Bernard Andrich, chairman of the Girlan music band, happily relates. The female sutlers are also part of the band.  In older days only men were represented in the bands and so four female sutlers accompanied them for decorative purposes, two of them carrying small Schnapps barrels and two of them flower decorations. „About half the musicians nowadays are women. Without them we couldn’t continue”, Andrich jokes.