Blaskapelle "Alte Kameraden"
An Ensemble of The City of Fairfax Band
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The "Alte Kameraden" is the German Band unit of the City of Fairfax Band. The "Old Comrades" have introduces American audiences to the lush, spirited festmusik played by Bavarian bands since 1977. The ensemble is an authentic blaskapelle wind band that performs music of the alpine village bands. In 1995, the "Alte Kameraden" became the first American band to be selected for membership in the Musikbund von Ober-und Niederbayern (MON) -- Bavaria's regional band association. Two years later, the "Alte Kameraden" was inducted into the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Militärmusik, Germany's honor society for military band music. The Fairfax band was presented with the Federal Republic of Germany's German-American Friendship Award in 1990, and recently the ensemble was honored with with a Certificate of Merit by the United German-American Committee of the USA. The "Alte Kameraden" make over 50 appearances each year, for community events, German-American clubs, and octoberfests. They have entertained spectators at World Cup soccer matches at RFK Stadium and FedEx Field in the Washington area, and performed aboard the Gorch Fock, Germany's tall ship, in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Samuel Laudenslager, Kapellmeister (Band Director) Sam is one of the five original "Old Comrades" of the Blaskapelle "Alte Kameraden" and has performed with the band since its formation in 1977. He has served as bandmaster since 1985. Under his leadership, the "Alte Kameraden" has matured from a five-member oompah "Oktoberfest" group into a 30-musician Blasorchester with an extensive repertoire of German, Austrian, Swiss, Czech, Polish, and seasonal concert selections |
Contact Information
"The Old Comrades" 9416 Wallingford Drive Burke, VA 22015 (703) 978-8642 e-mail: kapel_meister@hotmail.com
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