Music without borders AkaBlas celebrates 60 years of musical diversity
If you like music and concerts, but also summer trips, cycling tours and partying together, then AkaBlas is the place for you. The musical journey of AkaBlas, the wind ensemble of Technische Universität Braunschweig, began six decades ago. Today, AkaBlas is a vibrant community of over 100 active musicians. The 60th anniversary must of course be celebrated with an anniversary concert ’60 years AkaBlas GRENZENLOS’ with music from pop to swing to film classics.
Around 60 musicians meet every Tuesday to rehearse in Mensa 2. Photo credit: Dilara Aktaş/TU Braunschweig
AkaBlas was founded in 1964 as the ‘Akademische Bläservereinigung an der Technischen Hochschule Braunschweig’ after a small group of academic staff began organising joint rehearsal evenings. What began as a casual get-together quickly developed into a permanent community, which later became a non-profit organisation. Over time the number of members grew. AkaBlas became better known and the number of performances increased.
Involvement and performances beyond the campus
Today, AkaBlas has over 500 passive members and just over 100 active members. Every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 10pm, 60 musicians regularly attend weekly rehearsals in the foyer of Mensa 2. The ensemble’s repertoire includes a wide range of brass and woodwind instruments, complemented by a rhythm section consisting of drums, percussion, bass and occasionally electric guitars. Rehearsals are about music, of course, but they’re also about having fun. And, of course, new aca-wind players quickly make friends and existing friendships are strengthened.
Trumpets are also part of the ensemble. Photo credit: Dilara Aktaş/TU Braunschweig
'Krach' - music from pop to swing to film classics. Photo credit: Dilara Aktaş/TU Braunschweig
Making music together brings people together. Photo credit: Dilara Aktaş/TU Braunschweig
Rehearsals are about music, but it's also about having fun. Photo credit: Dilara Aktaş/TU Braunschweig
A special feature of the rehearsals are the informative and often funny animal facts that are shared during the breaks. These are cult at AkaBlas. They are used, for example, to improve concentration when organisational information is being shared.
“Axolotls have the amazing ability to regenerate lost limbs and even parts of the spinal cord and retina within a few weeks.”
AkaBlas shows that they enjoy making music together at various events: at university events, such as the evening canteen in May, but also at Christmas markets, cultural evenings and private parties.
This year’s concerts are all under the motto ’60 years of AkaBlas GRENZENLOS – without borders’. Sebastian Rumpf, the first chairman, explains: We chose this motto because our music, which ranges from pop to swing to film music, goes beyond the traditional boundaries of a wind orchestra and we as an orchestra are a “borderless” bunch of different ages, backgrounds and fields of study.
A highlight will be the big anniversary concert on 17 August at the Millenium Event Centre in Braunschweig. Free tickets can be reserved online via AkaBlas. The concert will be accompanied by the release of an anniversary CD, which is currently being recorded and will be completed in time for the concert.
Borderless anniversary trip to Japan
The anniversary season will end with the big anniversary trip to Japan at the beginning of October, where the usual geographical boundaries of the traditional summer trip will be left behind. The trip will last two and a half weeks and will include visits to TU Braunschweig’s partner university in Nagoya and the German School Tokyo-Yokohama, as well as a joint rehearsal with the Doshisha University Symphony Orchestra.
Becoming part of the community
From students to academics and staff, new members are always welcome in the anniversary year. Exceptional talent is not required; what is needed is a love of music and the desire to be part of this community.