FAQ - Questions & Answers about the wind orchestra

The  wind orchestra provides musical accompaniment for secular and religious events in Hausach and the surrounding area: open-air concerts, morning concerts, summer evening concerts, church events, club activities and much more.

Yes, our annual concert traditionally takes place the week before Easter. We also hold our festive Christmas concert on the last Thursday before Christmas Eve. In the autumn, we also present a church concert at irregular intervals, offering moments of reflection and beautiful music. To support young musicians, we also host a family gathering every autumn with music and fun – a joyful afternoon for all ages.

Even though it's not part of our regular schedule, we are happy to provide the right musical accompaniment – for a fee – at company parties, anniversaries, private celebrations and special occasions.

Current information about concerts/performances and rehearsals can be found under Dates.

We charge an admission fee for our annual concert, which serves to cover the costs and financially support the band. For the church concert and the Christmas concert, however, there is no fixed admission fee; we do, however, welcome voluntary donations, which we will give to a charitable cause.

The wind orchestra is always happy to welcome new members. Since we are not a traditional club in the strictest sense, we only have active members who play an instrument used in a wind orchestra. Whether you're picking up your instrument again after a long break or have been part of an orchestra for many years – you'll find a friendly, musical team with us where making music together is a joy and a sense of community is fostered. Get in touch and become part of our musical family!

It should ideally be an instrument traditionally used in a wind orchestra (i.e., woodwind, brass, or percussion). However, for our concerts with contemporary repertoire, we are also open to keyboard, guitar, and electric bass.

All age groups are active in our club, from around 15 years old up to old age.

Rehearsals currently take place every Thursday at 8:00 pm in our rehearsal room. Additional rehearsals and sectional rehearsals may be scheduled before important concerts; these will be announced in advance. Our rehearsal schedule is also available online under "Dates".

We are always happy to welcome new music enthusiasts who would like to enrich our orchestra. However, for smooth planning, we recommend contacting our conductor beforehand (dirigent@stadtkapelle-hausach.de) or sending an inquiry via our contact form. This will ensure that your joining us is as straightforward and welcoming as possible.

You should be proficient enough on your instrument to actively participate in the orchestra; some orchestral experience would be advantageous. If you are unsure or need more practice, we also offer instrumental lessons for adults. In this case, please contact our conductor directly to discuss the possibilities: dirigent@stadtkapelle-hausach.de

Since the lineup of an amateur orchestra naturally changes frequently, it's never possible to predict with complete certainty where a new member will be needed. Therefore, we are always happy to welcome any new musicians who play a wind instrument, percussion, or electric bass and enjoy making music together.

Musically, we are broadly based and diverse. Our repertoire ranges from traditional brass band music to symphonic works and original compositions for wind orchestra, as well as modern arrangements from film, pop, rock, jazz, soul, and popular music. Especially at our entertainment concerts, we present a varied mix that delights both musicians and audiences.

Currently, ensembles within the town band are formed on a project basis and according to current needs. However, the long-term goal is to create permanently established ensembles that can perform regularly at various events.

Since 1997, the town band has been under the direction of Freiburg trombonist and music educator Raphael Janz. Further information about his career and work can be found here.

Of course, the training of young musicians is of central importance to us, as it ensures the continued existence and quality of our town band. Our young musicians are therefore now trained entirely at the Offenburg/Ortenau Music School. This ensures that instruction is of the highest standard and that students receive individualized instruction on their respective instruments from qualified teachers.

Learning a musical instrument offers children a multitude of positive effects. Besides providing a meaningful and creative way to spend their free time, away from digital media, playing music fosters concentration, teamwork, and personal development. We've compiled ten good reasons why it's worthwhile to let your child learn an instrument – read on here.

As a rule, children can start their subsidized lessons from the age of 8.

You can learn the following instruments with us:

Woodwind instruments:

- Flute

- Clarinet

- Saxophone

Brass instruments:

- Trumpet/ Cornet/ Flugelhorn

- Horn (Waldhorn)

- Baritone

- Trombone

- Tuba

Percussion:

- Drum-Set

- Percussion

(Training on instruments such as timpani, percussion, mallets takes place within the framework of drum lessons)

Other:

- E-Bass

Please contact us to register. You can do so in the following ways:

- via our contact form

- directly via email to our conductor

- via email to the town band

Once all questions and details have been clarified, you will receive a registration form from us, which should be completed and returned to us. Registrations are possible at the beginning of each semester on May 1st or November 1st (deadline 6 weeks before the start of the semester).

Cooperation with the primary school:

In close cooperation with the primary school, we assess each year whether there are enough interested children to form a wind ensemble class. The Offenburg/Ortenau Music School, with whom we have a successful partnership for many years, is responsible for organizing and running the wind ensemble class.

Cooperation with the music school:

Our young musicians receive their instrumental training entirely at the Offenburg/Ortenau Music School. This collaboration ensures that instruction is of a high professional standard and that students are taught individually by qualified teachers on their respective instruments.

Through our partnership with the Offenburg/Ortenau Music School, your child will receive professional instruction from qualified teachers. A particular advantage of lessons through the wind orchestra is that we offer a subsidized tuition rate – meaning you don't pay the full amount you would pay if you booked directly with the music school. You can find more information under Instrumental Instruction.

In return, we expect your child to actively participate in the youth orchestra, according to their level of training, and later to play in the wind orchestra. In this way, we ensure the next generation of musicians, who are essential for the continued existence and development of our orchestra.

Yes, we provide a loaner instrument, so you don't need to buy your own – an additional financial advantage for you. Unlike music schools, which usually charge a rental fee, the loaner instrument from the town band is even free of charge.

Of course, we also offer adults the opportunity to learn an instrument. Lessons are offered in cooperation with the Offenburg/Ortenau Music School, guaranteeing high-quality instruction. If you are interested, please contact us using our contact form.