Putting together German band for fall 2022

Lyndeborough NH

Description

Because of COVID, and some stubbornness by band members to show vax status (as required by some venues), our 30-year German band fell apart. I am an accordionist, grew up with German/Swiss/Austrian/Oberkrainer/Polish music, also speak German and can sing and yodel. I have a really good bass/tuba player, and a possible drummer. Looking for a trumpet and/or a clarinet player. Gigs are mostly every weekend in September and October, for the Oktoberfest season, and an occasional private gig during the year. Travel is generally within 2 hours of Nashua, although if it works out and everyone agrees, we could do an occasional out-of-town festival. Vermont, upstate New York, CT, RI are possibilities, and I know some venues in Kentucky or Cincinnati if band members are interested. Commitment to Sept/Oct weekends and maybe a gig in Aug or first weekend of Nov is required, gigs through the rest of the year or traveling more than 2 hours depends on consensus of the band members. I have PA equipment. Everybody in the band helps set up and take down equipment. Costume would be lederhosen (or dirndl, if any women are interested). I might have some in your size, you may have to buy a hat or something to match (full costume can easily cost $500-1000, but I'll supply what I can). It would be great if you know and like European folk music in general, and better if you know German polka/waltz/schottisch music, but I have a pretty good repertoire, and am putting together lead sheets. I can handle vocals, but it would be great to have some backup. If you really like and know the style of music, but are a relative beginner musician, I may be able to work with that. Despite the gigs being primarily Oktoberfest and beer festivals, it's not an excuse to go out beer drinking. One or two beers through a 4 hour gig is OK, getting drunk is not. I usually drink iced tea or seltzer on stage (partly because beer slows down the fingers!) Some venues don't even allow drinking on stage (a weird NH law that may have been repealed, but is still sometimes enforced by venues or even local authorities). I would like serious musicians, who take pride in their music. The intent is to rehearse maybe once or twice a month until the fall 2022 Oktoberfest season. I don't have gigs lined up yet, but there will be at least a half-dozen for the first year if I have a promising group lined up. Gigs typically pay $200-300 each, and if we get good, we might be able to demand a little more. Reply to the ad via email, include a real email or a cell/text number, and I'll get back to you. We can get together for a quick try-out, and see where it goes.