DIE
ALPEN BAND CALIFORNIA is performing for the second El Dorado Community Concert
Association’s show on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at Union Mine High School Theater.
Where: Union Mine High School Theater, 6530 Koki Lane in El
Dorado
When: Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Information: 626-4625 or 622-4218.
Over the last 56 years the volunteers who comprise the board
of directors and the campaign workers for the El Dorado Community Concert
Association have been proud to be able to present multi-talented and
out-standing musicians to the residents of El Dorado County.
The El Dorado Community Concert Association presents the second concert of the
2006-2007 concert series, by bringing to the stage a local group Die Alpen Band
California.
Die Alpen Band California will appear at the Union Mine High School Theater in
El Dorado on Tuesday evening, Oct. 24.
Die Alpen Band California is a German band with a unique California twist,
playing German, American and international favorites since 1988. In 2006, the
band changed to five members.
In 2001 St. Pauli Inn was forced to end its Oktoberfest,
prompting a change in the band.
The band decided to update and to begin emulating the changes made at the
original Oktoberfest in Munich Germany. A name change to Die Alpen Band
California was the first step in the update.
Like Oktoberfest in Germany, while staying with the traditional polka and waltz,
Die Alpen Band California has added the styles of Alpen rock, disco samba, ober
polka, cha cha, Eurotech, German reggae and Euro disco to its wide ranging
repertoire, some swing, Dixieland and rumba were added.
Featured selections from some of Germany's and Austria's top performers like:
Heino, Rex Gildo, Karel Gott, Gitte und Erika, Schuerzenjaeger, Klostertaler,
Alpenland Quintett, D.J. Oetzi, Kolibris and others fill the program.
Of course, “Rosamunde” (Beer Barrel Polka), “Im Himmel Gibt's kein Bier”
(In Heaven There is No Beer) or the “Liechtensteiner Polka” are not left out
the repertoire.
Kevin McKnight, the leader plays trumpet, euphonium, trombone and sings. He
started playing trumpet at 9 years old and formed his first band in high school
called the Chiquita Brass with his brother Keith. In college, he converted a
local community band near Fresno into his first German styled polka band and
named it the Sierra Sauerkrauts. In 1988, Kevin joined with Keith to form a trio
backup group for a German singing duo.
Dave Smythe joined the group in 1996 on sax and clarinet. Since 2002 he has also
been involved in vocals. Smythe received is music degree in Idaho and has taught
band and vocals there, as well as in the Lake Tahoe area. He has been the owner
of Sierra Music in Placerville until it's sale a few years ago. He's very active
in the El Dorado and Placerville scene in the arts and service clubs.
Bill Chiechi joined the group in 2002 as the percussionist. You can also hear
him vocalizing on occasion. Also a college trained musician, he can play
accordion, keyboard, cornet, trombone, sax, banjo and guitar and during the off
season for Die Alpen Band California. Chiechi plays with his rock and pop band
The Fanatics or his dixieland band Chicken Fat Jazz. He may also be found on
keyboards in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay area.
Jim Gallegos joined the group this year on bass. On occasion, he has been known
to pick up a tuba. You can also hear him on vocals. He is also skilled on guitar
and banjo. During Jim Gallegos joined the group this year on Bass. On occasion,
he has been known to pick up a tuba. You can also hear him on vocals. He is also
skilled on guitar and banjo. It has been rumored that he also does a unique
Elvis impression.
Don Sommerfeld joined Die Alpen Band California this year on the electric
accordion. This allows him to sound like a full range of instruments from violin
to guitar to banjo, to woodwinds or brass. He can also sound like the full range
of accordion from musette to steirische to ziehharmonka. Another college
educated musician, Sommerfield is well known in Northern California as a solo
accordion player. Over the years he has had bands from trios to at 16 pieces and
used to perform the Oktoberfests at Cal Expo and the original Scheidel's in
downtown Sacramento.
The main venues for the pre-Die Alpen Band California were in El Dorado County
and included Bavarian Hills Orchard in Apple Hill and the St. Pauli Inn in
Riverton among others.
The trio specialized in German Volkstuemlich (folk song) and folk tunes from
around the world. Over the years, the trio has added at various times additional
members making it a quartet. Current and recent venues have included the
Turnverin in Sacramento, the Tyrolean Inn, Santa Cruz and Bavarian World in
Reno.
Beside Oktoberfest, the band plays for Fasching, spring bierfests, Maifest and
other German themed parties, including weddings. With Die Alpen Band
California's unique styling and flare, any celebration becomes a fun and
exciting party. Die Alpen Band California is truly a German party band.
Community Concert president Brian Reeves wishes to remind members that all El
Dorado Community Concerts are performed at the Union Mine High School Theater,
6530 Koki Lane, El Dorado. This concert will be performed at 7:30 p.m.
Normadene Carpenter, membership chair, reports that there are a limited number
of tickets available at the door at a cost of $25. While through the month of
October a year's Subscription is only $45.
For more information call Reeves at 626-4625 or Carpenter at 622-4218.
