Music is a language that doesn't need translation
"It's as if we saw each other ten minutes ago and not ten years ago," commented Gerhard Oberle, a member of the Stadtkapelle Oberkirch (town band), who has experienced the special connection between the band and the choir from the very beginning.
Since the official establishment of the town twinning between Haverfordwest and Oberkirch in 1989, the town band and the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir (HMVC) have been linked by a deep friendship.
"On the occasion of the 130th anniversary of the HMVC, their path led them back to Oberkirch and we were able to provide a celebratory setting for this special occasion with a church concert," emphasized Klaus Danner, the President of the town band.
The 47-member group arrived at Oberkirch on Thursday 16th April, and on Friday took an excursion into the Black Forest area, through the Achertal with a stop on the Ruhestein, a tour of the Mummelsee, and a visit to the ruins of Allerheiligen Monastery and nearby waterfalls.
During the evening, they were hosted by the town’s deputy mayor at the Wiegerthof restaurant - immediately the spark between the two musical groups and friends could be felt again.
During Saturday, the choir group enjoyed some time to explore the town and surrounding area, before taking part in a joint rehearsal with the band in readiness for the concert the following day.
On Sunday morning, they experienced a guided walking tour of the town by Hans-Georg Waßmuth, and in the afternoon another joint rehearsal before the concert.
A fully occupied church building with around 700 visitors provided the worthy setting for the concert on Sunday afternoon at St. Cyriak Catholic Church. The Stadtkapelle and Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir offered a musical experience that enraptured the audience to standing ovations. With a sure instinct, the two musical directors, Zeno Peters and Sarah Sharpe put together a varied program that thrilled the audience and demanded numerous encores.
The extent to which music brings people together was felt in singing and playing together the two well-known Welsh hymns "Llanfair" and "Gwahoddiad"; the choir and orchestra combined to create a warm, powerful sound that touched the listeners directly.
Klaus Danner, the President of the Stadtkapelle, thanked both ensembles as well as the musical directors Sarah Sharpe and Zeno Peters, and thanked the Catholic Parish Church, which provided the ideal space for this special concert.
A standing ovation showed the great appreciation of the audience for this impressive concert with the long-lasting applause not wanting to let the musicians go. Several encores followed, and with a final encore by the choir of the "Lord's Prayer", the evening came to a solemn conclusion.
At the subsequent reception in St. Michael, Mayor Gregor Bühler praised the importance of the exchange: "Common experiences bring people together. Many friendships have been deepened; new ones have been formed. This concert is a symbol of togetherness”.
Ian John, the HMVC Chairman, thanked the mayor and all at Oberkirch who had organised and facilitated the visit, with a special thanks to Klaus Danner and Nicole Trayer, gifting both a HMVC 130th Anniversary year Welsh slate.