Die Big Band der Bundeswehr & Max Mutzke

Description

The Bundeswehr Big Band, under the direction of band leader Timor Oliver Chadik, is one of the most unusual show and entertainment orchestras in Germany for several reasons. The ensemble already stands out among the 15 orchestras of the Bundeswehr Military Music Service in terms of its mission, appearance and sound of a classic big band line-up. Ordinary marches and orchestral literature are not to be found here. In addition, there is no other show and entertainment orchestra touring Germany and the world with such a state-of-the-art, multimedia-based and therefore unique stage show. The musicians from North Rhine-Westphalia present themselves both as a modern-sounding calling card for the Federal Republic of Germany and as a high-calibre musical ambassador for the Bundeswehr - in uniform, of course.

When it comes to music, however, uniformity has no place in the Bundeswehr Big Band. All the instrumentalists are hand-picked, first-class soloists in their specialist fields and graduates of the most renowned art academies for modern entertainment music. Anyone who experiences a concert by the Bundeswehr Big Band will not only hear music in the big band sound from the swing, rock and pop genres. Those who experience a concert by the Bundeswehr Big Band are taken into a world of show and entertainment music, of surprises and emotions, of special effects, of tangible joy in playing and into a world of ‘escape from everyday life’.

When it was founded by the then Minister of Defence and later Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, the formation was given the task of creating a modern sound for a modern army. At the concerts, people were to hear the hits of their time, the great classics of days gone by and the swing and jazz music that has always remained current. This musical concept, which was launched 50 years ago, is still very popular and relevant today. For example, presidents of the United States, the German President and the Pope have all tapped their feet or snapped their fingers to the groove of the Bundeswehr Big Band.

Since its formation in 1971, the Big Band of the German Armed Forces has played without a fee for good reason. Since the very first day, well over 20 million euros in admission fees have been used to help people in need.

In addition, the swing formation is always a welcome guest abroad: Moscow, New York, Oslo, Madrid, Cape Town, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur or Rio de Janeiro - hardly any continent is unknown or too far away for the Bundeswehr Big Band. The 24 professional musicians also know their way around the diplomatic, social and dance floors and know what is expected of them. At the parliamentary evening of the members of parliament in Berlin, the German Sports Press Ball in the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Federal Press Ball in the Berlin Adlon or other various ball events in Berlin or Bonn, there is always dance, show and entertainment music to suit the occasion. Supporting German soldiers in the countries of deployment is a matter of honour for the Bundeswehr Big Band and is just as much a part of the tour schedule as the regular musical support for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

For a successful concert with the Bundeswehr Big Band, the work of many people in preparation and realisation must interlock. For example, a small planning team
tour schedules throughout Germany, abroad and in the countries where the German soldiers are deployed. A ten-strong technical crew moves the up to 70 tonnes of material to the right place at the right time. This includes a ten by six metre LED wall as well as the appropriate show lighting, sound system, cameras, microphones, stage parts, instruments, the entire sound and technical support and much more.

Over the past four decades, the Bundeswehr Big Band has gained an exceptional reputation in show business, which it has maintained over the long term and is constantly working to consolidate and expand.

Obviously with great success: many journalists and insiders consider the swinging formation from Euskirchen to be the ‘best known and most popular’ unit of the Bundeswehr.

Organiser: Westerwald-Gymnasium Altenkirchen

Admission: 19:00