... to the homepage of the 1st Accordion Orchestra of Passau (1st AOP). The 1st AOP is at present headed by the two chairmen Georg Hettmann and Helmut Weinzierl supported by further committee members including the conductors of the particular orchestras, secretary, treasurer and the youth leaders. The youth section ("club in the club") offers the young members severals events like parties, excursions and going to the movies to promote the team spirit apart from playing the accordion. With the youth section being headed by pupil representatives and youth leaders themselves, future committee members can be introduced into the organisation of a club in the longer term. In the following we have compiled some important facts about the club's history: 1951 The "Passau Harmonica Orchestra" was founded in August by music teacher Anny Kratzer-Homolka. After she had left Passau the orchestra was taken over by Hans Wagner and Eugen Sagmeister. On the 6th June 1964 the 1st AOP was finally founded. It was led by Hans Wagner and Georg Winkler. Hans Wagner turned his passion into profession and instructed hundreds of accordion players in the guest house "The White Lamb" in Passau in the following years. In October 1971 participation in the International Accordion Festival in Offenburg. In June 1973 the orchestra visited France for the first time. It was the start of a long-lasting friedship with the Accordéon Club Chartres with many visits and countervisits until 1989. In May 1979 Hans Wagner entrusted the leadership of the club to Günter Forst. From that time onwards committed non-professional instructors and conductors took care of the young players' training and the musical leadership of the club. In October 1983 the first vinyl long-playing record was produced. It was conducted by Gerhard Koschel. In May 1986 first participation of the club in the International Accordion Festival in Innsbruck. Since then the 1st AOP with different groups has become a regular at this festival. Since Sept 1991 Helmut Weinzierl has been working as a music teacher in the City School of Music in Passau and in the following years has also taken over the conducting of the pupil and youth orchestras. In May 1992 the permanent formation was able to convince the jury of the 4th International Accordion Festival in Innsbruck and was awarded "excellent" at the "master" level. In 1993 Gerhard Koschel again started his work for the club as a music teacher and conductor of two formations. On 12th February 1997 the former committee chairman - Günter Forst - died after a short and serious illness. In 1997 the 1st AOP took on - in commission of the German Harmonica Association - the organisation of the Bavarian Contest for Orchestras and Ensembles which was joined by more than 1,000 musicians. The final event took place in the Passau "Nibelungenhalle". 1998 Georg Hettmann and Helmut Weinzierl became chairmen of the club. In May the only a year ago founded orchestra "oN" (means "without name") managed to get in 6th place in an international competition with an "excellent" in the highest category. In October 1999 the same orchestra conducted by Gerhad Koschel reached an excellent 2nd place in the Rudolf-Würthner Cup in Trossingen. In Spring 2001 Hans Wagner, co-founder of the 1st AOP, died. In May 2001 the club again celebrated a great success in Innsbruck. Both awarded with an "excellent", the youth formation conducted by Helmut Weinzierl reached a 4th place and the orchestra "oN" conducted by Gerhard Koschel a brilliant 2nd place. In Autumn 2002 the orchestra "oN" produced its first CD - "Moldau" (Vltava). In Summer 2008 this formation celebrated its greatest award being a prizewinner of the German Orchestra Contest. If you would like any more informations about 1st AOP or any of the groups please feel free to contact us! Simply send an e-mail or give us a call... Yours 1st AOP Contact: |
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1. Akkordeon-Orchester Passau e. V. |
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