United Brass Big Band, the Big Band of the high school at the Wolfskuhle:

A brief history of the school big bands and its associated projects

In 1993 the "United Brass Big Band" has been called "human (s) -brass Big Band" at the Carl-Humann-Gymnasium of 15 students and by Robert Maruhn, who was a music teacher there, founded. In 1994 the band presented publicly for the first time in concert before and immediately had resounding success. The band, playing in the pupils of the fifth grade to high school seniors on trumpet, saxophone, flute trombone or in the rhythm section, therefore, also grew rapidly up to the moment 46 members and played on many occasions in the Carl-Humann- school or neighborhood festivals in Essen their very own mix of jazz, blues, rock and soul.

 

In 1997, the fledgling band recorded their first maxi-CD "Moondance", which was sold out. In December 1997, Paul Kuhn, the man was at the piano, a guest at a band rehearsal and rehearsed with the young musicians the piece "Take Five" by Dave Brubeck a. In 2000 the second CD was "Off the track ..." was added that of the Doobie Brothers contained the first selbstarrangierte students piece with "Long Train Running". The version of Peter Wecking, Jan Kolodziej and Tobias Schuchert is still an integral part of the band repertoire and the standard addition in the annual concerts. In August 2000, the band won first prize at the "Summer Grand Prix of the school orchestra" of the Centro and won the grand prize, a further CD production, recorded the 2,001th The jury praised the "versatile program which own good arrangements that are played clean, powerful and dynamic, and presented with a lot of fun."

 

In February 2002, the big band its third CD then presented ("Human (n) -brass 3"). An additional PC video track shows the cooperation of the big band with a dance group, which was headed by the PE teacher Heidi Klein in "Rock around the clock".

 

By switching from Robert Maruhn to high school at the Wolfskuhle (s) was offered -brass Big Band as a music project for two schools and was renamed "United Brass Big Band" from the summer of 2002, the Human. Now take pupils from both schools participate. At the same time was founded in 2003, a young big band, the "Brass Roots". The management of the "Brass Roots" took over immediately to Johan Malan, as a trumpeter band member from the first CD. Meanwhile, this band was again divided into the "Brass Roots", now the sublevels Big Band under the direction of Saskia Malan (nee Hensel), also a former trumpeter, and the "Budding Brass Big Band" by Johan Malan , playing in the now approximately 25 pupils of the 7th to 10th grade.

 

The fourth (or first joint) 2005, the "United Brass Big Band" CD "What is hip" in the recording studio of the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Dusseldorf. In addition to the two instrumentals "Children of Sanchez" and "What is hip" were of the three singers of the band (Leonie and Annika Schliesing and Susanne Tyra) pieces of Norah Jones, Robbie Williams, Aretha Franklin and the Blood, Sweat and Tears presented. It was recorded the CD of Peter Wecking, pianist of the first occupation of the band.

 

In 2002, cooperation of big band with the theater group of Wolfskuhle began. The first project "The Threepenny Opera" (Brecht / Weill) was shown in 2004 after five successful performances in the auditorium in the Schauspielhaus Bochum. Followed in 2006 by the musical "West Side Story" by Leonard Bernstein. The music of both productions has been rehearsed by each 4 horns and a rhythm section with Robert Maruhn and then live the spectacle, which was led by Alfred Kleis and Norbert Weber, presented. After the West Side Story experienced five sold-out performances, 2007, the third co-production has begun. Unfortunately, fell ill and died during rehearsals Alfred Kleis in January 2009, the musical "Hair" was therefore completed with the former WOKU student Roland Riebeling as Acting Director and in March 2009, six times before a packed house (and therefore before more than 3000 spectators) played. In "Hair", the five-piece combo was (with guitar, bass, piano, drums and percussion) supplemented by a 14-member choir under the direction of Christoph Weßkamp.

 

Three pieces from West Side Story were launched in 2007 on the first "We are heroes" sampler of Klangwelt Studios Essen (together with pieces of 4 different schools) and published, can be found on the second sampler 2009, two current pieces of United-Brass- Big Band ("The Chicken", an instrumental jazz-rock pieces and arranged by Fabian Brinkmann Skanummer "Superspy" sung by Franka Özkan and Annika Schliesing) and the a cappella piece "That Lonesome Road" (eight big band members sung) and a first self-composed piece of the new school orchestra under the direction of Johan Malan.

In the years 2010 concerts Bernie Conrads was a guest, which is among other things known as a leader of the "Bernies Autobahn Band" and songwriter for Stoppok, Peter Maffay. He played four pieces with our band, came super to the public and therefore gave each an encore. 

In previous years, guests were always part of the show such as the 78Twins (Bastian and Benny grain) or Bernd Kramer (guitarist and trumpeter among others, Albert Mangelsdorf and Klaus Lage). 

Also resulting from the band or by members affiliated with it Combos could successfully bring again as guests at these concerts, it was "mullet", "Grandma Dwarfs," "sprout", "Delite "that" Gülden Flamingos "," Ten Cent Pistol "or" cross-Beat ".

 

2011, the singer "Andrea Hero" and "problem child", the band of our drummer Nico Nannen and our bassist Moritz White took part in the concerts. 

In addition, the new live CD "United Brass Live" was presented with excerpts of concerts of 2010. Thereupon are 9 pieces of Big Band, one of the "Gülden Flamingos" and three songs of the Combo with Bernie Conrads. You can for 9.98 euros übewr maromaruhn@t-online.de be obtained.Recorded and mixed by our wonderful Ex -Gitarrero Manuel Moritz, the cover to including photos was designed by our former saxophonist Nico Kleemann.

 

A United-Brass-Band under the direction of Philipp Frenzel (with Vincent Burgmer, Martin Hornshaw, Michel Gross and Moritz White) accompanied the six performances of our musical "Little Shop of Horrors," which had its premiere on 30.9.2011. The project was lead next Philipp Frenzel at Tobias healing, Lea and Robert Maruhn menth. Approximately 2500 spectators celebrated the band and drama group, in addition to the current Big Band members like Alexandra Wagner and Lisa Schmidt also our former Leonie Schliesing again this was. She sang accustomed confidently from the background, the role of carnivorous Audrey II. 

The CD plus there is for 9.98 - "Little Shop of Horrors".

 

On stage, the band has now won on their annual concerts in the auditorium, at numerous neighborhood festivals such as the Castle Festival in Burgaltendorf or the Christmas market in Steele as much live experience that it since 2008 already six times from the Ministry of Education to the accompaniment of awards or the Education Symposium ( was invited to the exhibition hall of the Gruga). The enormous power of the live band is due, among other things, from taking place for 19 years big band rides into the Hostel Morsbach to there intense and concentrated rehearse the new each program.

 

In summer 2011 the big band presented at the annual concerts for the first time their new project, the "Wolfpack Drumline", which consists of 9 Drummer indoor and drummers, founded by Vincent Burgmer 2014 by Philippe Labonde and from autumn 2014 by Jonas Hendrichs is passed and duly makes steam. The project was from the first note a huge success and will surely bear fruit.

 

The years 2012 concerts were sold out three times and were more than two and a half hour program of Drumline, Budding Brass Big Band, United Brass Big Band and our wonderful "guest star" Leonie Burgmer again a complete success. For the first time three pieces were played, which were arranged in the project course (Hard to handle, I'd rather go blind and The Race). With The Race, Lake House and a erweitereten live version of Long train running first became common pieces of Drumline to hear the big band, the mighty sound of this compound turned everything previous in the shadows.

 

The years 2013 concerts took place on 7/12/13 place (Fr. 19.30), on 07/14/13 (Sun, 17 clock) and on 07/15/13 (Mon, 19:30 clock) and were once again a great success and again completely sold out. "Budding Brass" and the "Wolfpack Drumline" were just one of the party as "Ten Cent Pistol" as a guest with 3 pieces. 8 arranged by pupils pieces are evidence of the growing importance of the project course. "Pencil Full of Lead" (Paolo Nutini, arr. By Lea Syring and Jana Wolter) caused a good mood, "Dani California" by the Red Hot Chily Peppers (Arr. Marius Meyer) was a punchy opener and the old Eagles slide "Hotel California" (arr. Moses Kramer, Germain Machado, R.Maruhn) unfolded with 4 guitars to a gigantic final number before the encores "Long Train Running" with the Drumline and "Severn Bridges Road" as a capella piece ended the concert. 

In addition, there is a wonderful new CD of previous concerts (United Brass Big Band Live 2012, again recorded by Manuel Moritz and Nico Kleemann screens).

 

October 2013 Robert Maruhn brought as musical director, Tobias healing as a director and choreographer Lea menth as together the movie musical "Across the Universe" as a world premiere for four sold-out performances at the WOKU stage. The 24 Beatle songs were partly arranged completely new in the 9-member combo and gave very different views of the often 50 year old songs free. Tobias sensitive direction, the rousing dances and strong vocal performances (with the help of Valerie Quade as Vocal Coach) of the highly dedicated ensemble ensured to all 4 performances of "standing ovation". A DVD and CD are in the works.

 

In December 2013. was the "Dutch Swing College Band" to host, on 02/28/2014 played the WDR Big Band a wonderful concert in the auditorium of Wolfskuhle in the United Brass gave the opening act and was able to hold bravely. 

Previously announced it a joint workshop with 4 coaches of the WDR Big Band (trumpeter Andy Haderer, trombonist Ludwig Nuss, saxophonist Karolina Strass Meyer and bassist John Goldsby) who rehearsed with our Sections 3 pieces.

 

In the fall of 2014 (19.9., 20.9. And 09.21.2014) 3 have again sold out concerts years heralded the 20-year band anniversary, for 15th anniversary was another former combo of about 40 participants of the party, the 4 Weeks had previously rehearsed in Morsbach on the first "alumni Morsbach" the 4 pieces. 

In the concerts there were so many selbstarrangierte pieces than ever before and that the band now for a year "G8 rejuvenated" is, you can tell not practical. Overall, more than 100 contributors were on the stage and have designed a worthy anniversary. Apart from "United Brass" were of course the "Budding-Brass", the "Wolfpack Drumline" and the band "aback" (with Florian Dick and Robin and Yannik Suhr ") here. 

Now it goes to the next round, the year No. 21, the concerts will be in September.

The new musical ("Spring Awakening"), again directed by Tobias healing and Robert, has on 05.28.2015 Premiere. Here are 5 more performances (see schedule)

Recordings

 

• CD: "Moondance" (1997, edition 300) ("Cantaloupe Iceland", "Moondance", "Red House," Evil Ways, "" I don't like Mondays ")

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• CD: "Off the track ..." (2000, edition 500) ("Long Train Running" You can leave your hat on "," Curtain up "" James Bond Theme "," Mission Impossible ").

• CD: "Human (n) -brass 3" (2002, edition 500) ("Smooth", "Rock around the clock" Big Band Jam, "Smoke on the water", "Jolly Coppers On Parade" Video Track )

• CD: United Brass Big Band: "What is Hip" (2005, edition 500) (What is hip, Respect, Don't know why, Spinning Wheel, Children of Sanchez, Let me entertain you)

• CD: school-Sampler "We are heroes" (Klangwelt Studio Essen, 2007) with three pieces from the "West Side Story" (Cool, Somewhere, I Feel Pretty)

• CD School sampler "We are Heroes Vol. II" (Klangwelt Studio Essen, 2009) 3-piece big band (Superspy, The Chicken, a capella Combo: That Lonesome Road) and 1 x Schulorchester

• CD: live recording "Hair" (12 songs), 2009

• CD: "United Brass Live" (13 Songs- 9x United Brass, 1x "Gülden Flamingos" and 3 pieces with Bernie Conrads) (2011)

• CD live recording "Little Shop of Horrors", June 2012, 14 pieces from the musical.

• CD "United Brass Big Band Live 2012", with 13 pieces from the last year's program. Cover as in the last two by Nico Kleemann.

• CD and DVD: "Across the Universe" - live recording of the whole musical from October 2013 as a DVD and the 15 best tracks to CD.

Overview of other activities

• Approximately 8-10 performances in food and environment annually: school concerts, Christmas markets, church festivals, food-stock, K21 Dusseldorf Ministry of Education (3 x 2008 and 2009, October 2010); Education Symposium of the provincial government Messe Essen 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012; premiums celebration Unfallkasse NRW 2011, 2012; district festivals (eg in the context of neighborhood partnership Steele-Kettwig), Burgfest Burgaltendorf, IHK, "Mile of Art", "whisk" (Bergisch-Gladbach), etc., Laurentius hard, Krayenale Culture Path Festival etc.

• Open rehearsal with Paul Kuhn in December 1997

• Projects with Arts (Film Music 1999), Dance (2000, 2002)

• Musicals ("The Threepenny Opera" 2004 "West Side Story" in 2006, "Hair" in 2009 (including the choir), "Little Shop of Horrors" 2011 respectively in selected combo ensembles "Across the Universe" with music of the Beatles October 2013

• Workshop and joint concert with the WDR Big Band in February 2014 in the auditorium of Wolfskuhle

• Video production band / dance (s. 3 CD)

•  Numerous concert guests as Bernd Krämer (Albert Mangelsdorf; Klaus Lage), 2009: 78 Twins (multiple winner of the German Rock and Pop Award), 2010: Bernie Conrads (songwriter for Stoppok, Peter Maffay), 2011: Andrea Held, problem child, 2012: our Star for Baku: Leonie Burgmer, 2013: Ten Cent Pistol, 2014: Former band from about 40 contributors and "aback".

 

Award: In August 2000 (27/8/00, see Appendix) won the band the first place in the "Summer Grand Prix of the school orchestra" in CentrO and won the grand prize, a CD production.