Ralf Herrmann: The Music Maestro of Warmensteinach

Ralf Herrmann is responsible for choosing the pieces of music, rewriting the ones that don’t fit the choir, adding the necessary high voices and taking over the direction of the rehearsal. . At events where the twelve members of the choir sing, he also takes out his trumpet and plays along. Because the choir “is now so well recited that all I have to do is turn my little finger so that everyone knows what’s going on.”

Hermann doesn’t stop with the trombone choir. He wants more music. For his 40th birthday in 2007, he received a special gift: “I was put on a chair, blindfolded and then told, ‘Look what’s coming’.” First he hears footsteps, then singing: a gospel song. “All this because I once said: ‘We should start a gospel choir in Warmensteinach’.

The 27-member choir, which initially consisted of friends and relatives, has been in existence for 15 years now. Colors of Trinity play regularly in the church. “You have faith, you live and you don’t hide from it.” The group is a diverse group: there are evangelicals, Catholics, but also non-religious people.

At Herrmanns it is never quiet. There is always music. For a while, the musician also participated in the Max Reger selection choir in Kemnath and he just liked to sing and listen. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he was also a founding member of a five-man band, the Steinach Express. “We made mood music and played folk music in beer tents and at events.”

But music has a much more general meaning for him. Playing the trombone and singing are both good exercises for the lungs. And that may save Herrmann’s life. A year and a half ago, at Christmas time 2022, he fell ill with severe bacterial pneumonia. He had to go to the hospital and fell into a coma for four days. “It was close, but the healthy lungs helped me get better again. ” My lungs are now back to 90 percent capacity. Herrmann can play music normally again.

“I like all kinds of music,” he says. Although he didn’t have to say. It can be felt. He has his own small recording studio in his workplace. Surrounded by a collection of instruments – the Hermanns have about 40 in the house – he sits there, tinkering with audio files of his own recordings or helping others record songs . In his private life he listens to all kinds of music, including country singers like Garth Brooks. But other music is not discriminated against either. The gospel choir’s first CD was recorded here in his living room, but “we’ve also recorded CDs for trash metal acts like Urinal Tribunal.” He says the experience is very funny. “We gave a special warning to the neighbors that no one would be beaten here.” He also recorded a colleague who wanted to give his wife records of the songs he sang for her birthday. And he went. to play the accompanying music. Ralf Herrmann didn’t have long piano and guitar lessons, but “it’s enough to go with him.”

Hermann has been a full-time IT administrator for 17 years. He also runs the company HD Events with his son Sebastian. He helps other people make music. They provide the technology for events such as the Childhood Dream Festival in Speichersdorf or events at the chocolate factory in Bayreuth. “Sebastian puts in a lot of volunteer work.”

Ralf Herrmann’s life is a melody. Music always. The only exception: when you ride a motorcycle. This is a haven of peace. “I like to stand on a mountain or a hill and look down into the valley.” His visits last an hour or two. This clears his head and allows him to reflect. Just not in Franconian Switzerland: “There are too many people out there. There is less traffic on the Franconian Forest side and it will be quieter.”

Back home it’s almost silent. When he is not working on the house, making records for other people or taking care of his instruments, Ralf Herrmann just plays music for himself on his beloved instruments. “You must always educate yourself, work to maintain and improve your skills.” This is a priority.

Grandpa is watching a concert. She is not his next dream. This is the saxophone. “But it will still take some time.” Herrmann doesn’t do things by halves when it comes to his music. “If so, that makes sense. With enough time to learn properly.”