Jazz Ensemble from Offenbach, Germany
The Offenbach District Youth Jazz Orchestra, a collective of talented young musicians from the Offenbach district, is making waves in the music scene. The orchestra, led by saxophone teacher and university lecturer Stefan Weilmünster, has been actively seeking new members for various instrument groups, including trombone, trumpet, saxophone, drums, guitar, piano, bass, and vocals.
Applicants should ideally have an advanced jazz level and previous experience in a big band. This requirement is in line with the orchestra's goal of establishing a jazz ensemble with ambitious young talents and providing them with opportunities to develop further. The orchestra sees itself as an important transition between regional school and music school big bands and the selection orchestras at the state level, such as the Hessian State Youth Jazz Orchestra.
The Offenbach District Youth Jazz Orchestra's repertoire consists of ambitious big band arrangements. Some of the pieces in their current lineup include "Count Bubba" by Gordon Goodwin and "Lingus" by the Grammy-winning American jazz collective Snarky Puppy. The vocal numbers are funky-groovy arrangements by artists such as Sting, Tower of Power, or Jamiroquai.
The orchestra's journey began in April 2023 with their first workshop, and they have been rehearsing regularly since then. In fact, their first CD was recorded with workshop coach Axel Schlosser from the hr-bigband. While specific details about Axel Schlosser's role as a workshop coach for the Offenbach District Youth Jazz Orchestra could not be found, he is known for his expertise in instrumental pedagogy, classical trumpet, jazz trumpet, and composition/arrangement.
The Offenbach District Youth Jazz Orchestra has been making appearances at various events. One such event is the Princely Garden Festival, where they are scheduled to perform from 10:00 to 18:00. The exact date and time for the Princely Garden Festival have not been specified.
Interested individuals can contact Stefan Weilmünster directly to join the orchestra and be a part of this exciting musical journey. The orchestra's first CD titled "The start of something new ..." was released in January 2025, and with new members joining, there's no telling what new music they will create.
For those who appreciate jazz music and the development of young talents, the Offenbach District Youth Jazz Orchestra is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
