“The performance at Vienna City Hall is a highlight”

On June 22nd, the members of the Schönering Music Association will need a lot of patience: They will play marching music in front of Vienna City Hall for an hour while the guests arrive at the 121st Upper Austrian Ball. “But we are well practiced, so that is no problem for us,” says chairman Peter Mayr.

This year, the club from Wilhering has the task of contributing to the traditional reception and opening with music. “When I told them that we might be performing in Vienna’s town hall, my colleagues in the club were immediately excited. That’s a highlight for us,” says Mayr.

A change of direction for the town hall

The musicians have been rehearsing for their performance in the capital since April. “We are rehearsing our own turning figure for the opening march into the ballroom because there is not enough space for a large turn,” explains the chairman.

After the big performance, the evening is not over for at least some of the Schöneringers: A small ensemble plays Upper Austrian dance music in an adjoining room. The evening also has a lot to offer musically: The St. Florian Boys’ Choir sings at the opening, and the “Silk Fluegge” ensemble dances. The Linz musical ensemble puts on an interim show, and at midnight the stage belongs to the band “The Rats Are Back” with Eric Papilaya, Norbert Oberhauser and Volker Piesczek.

Upper Austrian artists and ensembles will be filling Vienna City Hall with music all night long as they act as cultural ambassadors – the perfect conditions for a night of dancing for the 3,000 guests expected at the 121st edition of the traditional event. The Schöneringers still have a few rehearsals to do before then, because: “We can’t try it out on site, so everything has to be right in advance,” says chairman Peter Mayr.

Get your tickets for the Upper Austrian Ball now at oberoesterreicherball.at. For holders of a OÖNcard the ticket price is reduced by 10 euros.