Concert day

After the night hike on Thursday evening, most orchestras did not start rehearsals until 10am or even later. The Rockestra alone, had to pack their cars at 9.30 a.m. for the dress rehearsal in the church, which simply doesn’t fit in Thursday, also because of the Rocking Thursdays. On Fridays the pieces will be rehearsed again, a little bit improved but not much rehearsed, because in the evening there is already the big concert in the Liebfrauenkirche in Oberwesel. Strengthened with fish fingers at noon, the swimming pool can be used for the last time in the afternoon, things can be made or painted, the last games can be played with friends and the “peace of the youth hostel” can be used for the last time. Unfortunately, it rained so heavily this year that it was impossible to think of a last soccer or table tennis game outside. The hope that it would stop until we had to run down was felt everywhere.

With the early dinner at 17 o’clock the excitement before the concert increased. At 18.30 o’clock the cars were loaded again and already in concert clothes we started our way to the church. Arriving there everything went very fast, until the concert began with the elemental orchestra and a movement from the Apollo Suite. The elemental orchestra, supported by the Schnupperkus, took us to Lummerland. We continued with the guitar ensemble, who showed us what is possible with a guitar for sounds, and took us to Turkey and afterwards with Somebody That I Used to Know played a meanwhile classic. The chamber orchestra captivated as usual with classical literature. This time by Bach and Shostakovich before our guests from Jerusalem performed a folklore piece. Only for the second time in summer, but already for the fifth time in Oberwesel, the wind section, first the Ensemble A, then both and afterwards the Ensemble B, showed how great this beautiful church sounds, when about 50 wind section perform it. With A Celebration Miniature, Pegasus, Let it Go and It Don’t Mean a Thing they also showed the different possibilities in brass music. With the Game of Thrones Theme and the Elvis classic Can’t Help Falling in Love, the rocking strings thrilled the audience. Before all 9 orchestras played the last three pieces together, the Rockestra could be heard. As always from behind. With You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth (Meat Loaf), Total Eclipse of the Heart (Bonnie Tyler) and Dance of Death (Iron Maiden) the Rockstra members rocked the church and the audience. The Long and Winding Road, Nimrod and Da pacem domine were connected to each other by transitions. I get goose bumps every year when Da pacem domine echoes as a canon throughout the church. So 170 participants experience a feeling of togetherness and solidarity.

We thank all spectators and listeners for coming and for the donations at the exit. They help us to continue the camp in this way. Thank you very much!

After all the cars and participants were back on top of the mountain, the youth hostel had prepared lasagna and foam kisses as in the last two years. Tired from the concert but strengthened by the lasagna the last night started. No further incidents made this however very quiet. It was clear to everyone that the next day at 10 o’clock the next concert was already waiting and one should be fit for it.