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Because of Corona, brass bands and choirs fought for their existence. Now there is confidence.
During the pandemic, choirs and brass bands came under pressure. Their passion harbors a particularly high risk of infection: through breathing and singing, many aerosols get into the air, and corona viruses can spread particularly well.
Goodbye certificate, no more personal restrictions: since almost all corona measures in Switzerland have been abolished, confidence has also increased among music companies. The forced break is finally over. But the pandemic is lingering.
Legend:
70,000 people in Switzerland play in a brass band. You have two difficult years behind you.
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This is shown by a look at the Valais village of St. German. After a two-month break, the local singing club is rehearsing there for the first time in the rehearsal room – and without a mask. A motley group of men from young to old is standing in a semicircle. “The constant ups and downs were tiring for us,” says conductor David Gysel.
The social part of club life was on thin ice.
The Corona measures caused heated discussions among other choirs. Differences of opinion were so great that it came to a break. “We know of a choir that had to stop its activities completely due to a lack of members,” says Isabelle Knubel, President of the Upper Valais Choir Association.
There is a lack of offspring
The brass bands fare similarly to the choirs. In Switzerland there are 3,000 music societies with over 70,000 members. Some people left, says Philipp Loretan, President of the Upper Valais Music Association. Above all, there is a lack of young people. The young people could not have been won over to the music societies during the pandemic. It is tragic that for a long time no new members could be recruited. “We will miss these two years in the future,” says Loretan.
Legend:
The choir in St. German is very happy to be able to sing together again.
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Simon Bühler, conductor of the music society Madrisa Klosters-Dorf, observed other problems. «One or the other member lacked the drive to find the motivation to be alone at home. The social part of club life was on thin ice », he explained another point last September.
Great joy comes back
Back in St. German in Valais. Anny Imseng, co-president of the choral society, says everything has been tried to keep people engaged during the pandemic. “When we had to cancel the AGM, we sent all members a sausage. Team spirit was important to us.”
That’s why you didn’t have to record a single exit even during the long dry spell. “Now we’re just happy that it’s starting again. How the voice sounds is the second question. It’s already croaking for me, »says a choir singer.