"Jetzt oder Nie" Wind Band of Wetzlarer Musikschule Lahn-Dill
The Jetzt oder Nie orchestra was founded in October 2015 as a wind project of the Wetzlar Music School. The aim was and is to give adult pupils the opportunity to learn a musical instrument and to grow musically together, even as late starters. The founding members, initially 20 musicians, began their musical journey with no previous experience in the clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, hunting horn and baritone registers. Under the inspiring direction of Paul Pfeiffer, the orchestra quickly developed into a dynamic group with a shared passion for music.
From the very beginning, the orchestra's path was characterized by great determination and commitment. After seven months of intensive rehearsals, the first public performance took place, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey. Although the line-up has changed over time, nine of the original members have remained loyal to the orchestra and have developed into enthusiastic musicians
In October 2023, the musical direction was handed over to Kai Tobisch. Even under his professional direction, the orchestra has continued to expand its repertoire.
The ensemble has been further strengthened in recent years through the integration of additional amateur musicians. This has led to a greater variety of instruments, such as bass clarinet, baritone saxophone, bassoon, contrabassoon, flute, oboe, horn, timpani and double bass, and now has a proud 56 members. This makes Jetzt oder Nie the largest public music school ensemble in Wetzlar and the Lahn-Dill district.
The Jetzt oder Nie orchestra's passion for music has been demonstrated by numerous appearances and performances that have delighted local audiences. From classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, the orchestra has interpreted a wide range of pieces, touching audiences with its joy of playing.
Another highlight in the orchestra's history will certainly be the concert as part of the celebrations to mark 50 years of town twinning between Wetzlar and Schladming under the direction of Stephan Kramer.
The proven concept of the orchestra Now or Never has been and will be continued. In recent years, music enthusiasts of all ages have had the opportunity to discover their passion for music and learn an instrument. After practising for a while, they were integrated into the existing orchestra and enriched it in this way.
Participated:
2024
Country:
DE
Conductor: Stephan Kramer
Stephan Kramer began his musical career at the age of 12 with the youth band in Frankenberg/Eder and the school orchestra of the local Edertal grammar school. After his military service with the Army Music Corps 2 in Kassel, he studied clarinet and saxophone at the Gesamthochschule and the Kassel Music Academy.Stephan Kramer is active in many genres, whether chamber orchestra, big band, Dixieland combo, saxophone ensemble or symphonic wind orchestra.
In his old homeland, he also worked as a choirmaster, co-founded the "Hessen Symphonic Wind Orchestra" and, as director of the local music school, organized various trips abroad for the music school and its "Hessenländer Musikanten".
At the Bundesmusikakademie in Trossingen, he completed the music school director course (1996) and the course "Leitung von Blasorchester", the so-called B-Schein (2004).
He has been a clarinet and saxophone teacher at the Limburg District Music School since 1998, where he also founded the saxophone ensemble "SaxSonic" in 2002, and he teaches music at the Goethe School in Limburg.
He is well-known in our region as a conductor of various music groups, having conducted the Ebernhahn (2006 - 2017) and Nentershausen (2004 - 2022) music associations, among others, and has been the musical director of the Schwalbach-Schöffengrund volunteer fire department's wind orchestra since 2018. In 2017, Stephan Kramer also took over the baton of the Elzer Musikanten youth orchestra.
Since spring 2024, he has also conducted the Buderus works orchestra in Wetzlar