Elmar Wiesenmüller's Bergvagabunden – Bavarian Oktoberfest band from Germany
The Bavarian band Bergvagabunden, with their singer Elmar Wiesenmüller, specialises in Oktoberfest events. The Bergvagabunden are among the most popular Bavarian bands among international event organisers. The Bergvagabunden usually perform as a trio with two professional musicians/singers and a professional female singer. All band members have vocal education or education on their instrument.
Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in Paris (Source: https://www.orchestre-bavarois.fr)
Bavarian musicians also perform in Paris and London
The Oktoberfest is not only popular throughout Germany. Oktoberfest events are held in many countries. The band Bergvagabunden is now also well known in cities such as Paris and London.
Oktoberfest band Bergvagabunden in London (Source: https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/oktoberfest-band-germany/london-birmingham-manchester-leeds-uk/)
What instruments are used in traditional German music and yodelling?
There are many German musical instruments that are used in traditional German music. Here are the most important ones:
Accordion
Tuba or euphonium (baritone)
Trumpet
Clarinet
Zither
Alphorn
Guitar
These instruments are mainly found in traditional folk music in southern Germany and differ from the instruments used in classical German music. The most common traditional music genres are
Folk music
Tanzlmusi
Stubnmusi
Oberkrainer (originally from Slovenia)
Singing is important, with a switch between head voice and chest voice – yodelling. Popular yodelling songs are
Kufstein Lied
Heidi
Sunny Yodel ("Sonnenjodler")
If you want to see the typical musical instruments, the common genres and the famous yodelling on YouTube, you can watch videos of the band Bergvagabunden at https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/videos/.
Important: at events with an ‘Oktoberfest’ theme, traditional German and Bavarian music is always combined with pop and rock music. Simple German-language pop music (called ‘Schlager’) is played a lot.
Ein Prosit – meaning and translation
The literal translation of the lyrics Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeitis “Cheers to cosiness”. The meaning is: it’s nice to be here, in this cosy atmosphere, let’s drink to that. Let’s drink beer, and not just one. (Source: https://www.bergvagabunden.com/en/ein-prosit-der-gemuetlichkeit/ This site also features a video of the song “Ein Prosit”.)
Traditional German - Bavarian dance “Schuhplattler”
The most famous German dance is a Bavarian dance. In the Schuhplattler, the male dancers slap their calves with their hands while young women in long dresses twirl around them. Elmar Wiesenmüller is the only agency in Germany that professionally arranges various Bavarian dancers for corporate events in Munich and Bavaria. Prices for a Schuhplattler performance and various videos featuring Schuhplattler dancers can be found on the German website schuhplattler.de.
Bavarian, Austrian and Swiss music
Traditional Bavarian music, Austrian music and Swiss music sound very similar. German is sung and yodelled in all three regions. Another typical feature is the alphorn, which originally comes from Switzerland. The songs of the individual regions are also known in the other areas.
Examples of Swiss music:
Vogelusi
Heidi
Petra Sturzenegger
Examples of Austrian music:
Dem Land Tirol die Treue
Hulapalu
Du entschuldige i kenn di
Examples of Bavarian music
Auf die Vogelwiese
Rehragout
Skandal um Rosi
Many Oktoberfest bands have Bavarian, Austrian and Swiss music in their repertoire. Detailed information about the music of Oktoberfest bands can be found at https://www.bergvagabunden.com/oktoberfest-band/
Bavarian orchestra in France, Switzerland and Belgium
Anyone wishing to organise an Oktoberfest in France, western Switzerland or Belgium needs to choose their orchestra very carefully. French songs are unknown in Germany, just as German songs are unknown in French-speaking countries.
Oktoberfest is also well known in Italy and Spain. German songs are unknown in these countries, but the sound of Bavarian music is very popular. When booking a Bavarian band, make sure that they play Italian songs in Italy and Spanish songs in Spain, in addition to English songs.
Many German bands play the Italian song ‘Sara perche ti amo’. The band ‘Bergvagabunden’ has around a dozen Italian songs and around a dozen Spanish songs in its repertoire, for example for an Oktoberfest in Barcelona or an Oktoberfest in Bologna.
Beer fest band for an Oktoberfest in Bahrain, Qatar, Dubai
People from all over the world have found a job in the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), in Bahrain or Qatar. Some of them German, some British - but no matter where they are from, they all like to party when the work is done. That is why hotels and companies like to host an authentic Bavarian beer fest: Oktoberfest. Which requires to fly in a Bavarian oompah band from Germany, such as the "Bergvagabunden": this band is known for playing successfully at Oktoberfest themed corporate events in Bahrain, Qatar or Dubai.
Event agency for corporate events in Munich, Hanover, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf
Elmar Wiesenmüller has an event agency for corporate events in Munich, Hanover, Cologne and Dusseldorf. His agency offers
musicians
DJs
dancers
audio & video (AV) sound & light
staff & hostesses
catering
transport & shuttle
venue scouting
New Year's Eve and other occasions
An Oktoberfest celebration is not the only occasion for a booking; bookings are also possible for New Year's Eve parties, birthday parties, topping-out ceremonies, trade fairs and more.
Summary
If you are planning an event in Europe, Arabia or Asia and are looking for traditional Bavarian musicians with an authentic Oktoberfest band, there are various service providers to choose from. One of the best known and most versatile bands and orchestras is Elmar Wiesenmüller's Bergvagabunden.
