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From the Website: Destination Munich
Traditional & Contemprary Schuhplattler Groups
There are two somewhat distinct groups performing the Schuhplattler today. The first are the Trachtenvereine, or traditional costume clubs, many of which were founded in the latter part of the 19th century. Their mission has been to preserve the tradtions, custumes and dance styles of the various towns and districts in Bavaria and Tyrol.
In their competitons and festivals, the European Trachtenvereine, and perhaps even moreso the
American, Canadian and other emigrant groups, tend to be highly regulated and
conservative with regard to the details of dress and the kind and style of
dance allowed. Although many Trachtenvereine
welcome children in the hopes of preserving their traditions for the next
generation, it has sometimes been difficult to attract middle and high school
students and to give them the degree of training that a really good adult group
often has.
From the early decades of the 20th century, on the other hand
— and especially since the 1950’s — new, less formal Schuhplattler groups have
appeared in the German-speaking parts of Europe. These groups are focused less
on preserving tradition and more on adapting, evolving and perfecting the dance
itself. Although they often perform the standard Schuhplattlers, they do so
with a contemporary energy and excitement that draws in the crowds. Old dances
are given a new twist, often accompanied by livelier music or stronger slapping
and stomping.
Among these contemporary Schuhplattler
performers are some top-notch children’s groups like the Oberbairing
Kinder, the Jungen Wimberger and a few others, that are associated with adult
groups but perform in festivals and competitions on their own. Like their
adult counterparts, they dance not only with precision but also with a zest and
enthusiasm that can leave audiences cheering. In watching these youngsters
perform, one has the sense that the Schuhplattler is not only tradition, culture
and skill, but more than anything, it’s fun! |
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Oberbairing, Austria
Autobahn Plattler
Linzer Bua Plattler
Jugend Volkstanz Fest in Gmünd
2015 Upper Austria Competition
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The Kinder Schuhplattler Oberbairing is the
youth group of the Original Altenberger
Schuhplattler from Oberbairing and Altenberg Bei Linz
in Upper Austria, about 120 miles from Vienna. Founded in 2009, the
Oberbairing Schuhplattler group is composed of about 20 youngsters,
aged 7 to 14. They are highly skilled and disciplined dancers, with a
varied
repetoire and a strong, sharp, rythmical sound.
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Competitions & Repertoire
The Oberbairing Kinder won first prize in the youth division of the 2015 Upper Austria Schuhplattler Competition and came in 1st or 2nd in each of the previous four years. Several of the photos on this
page were taken at the 2015 Oberösterreich competition in Altenberg Bei Linz and the 2014 competition in Steinerkirchen.
At Schuhplattler competitions, one seeks to impress the
judges and the many expert dancers in attendance. Performing for festivals and
senior centers, on the other hand, involves pleasing the public, many of whom
have little understanding of or interest in historical accuracy or the finer
points of Schuhplattler choreography. Groups that perform in both venues
need a broad and varied repetoire. The Oberbairing Kinder have dances that show
off their skill, dances that are just plain fun, and dances that do both at
once. Among their Schuhplattlers on this website are:
Autobahn — This Schuhplattler is often used
as an entrance dance. Does anyone know what is the significance of the hands at the forehead?
Bankerlplattler — The bench dance puts some variety in
a longer Schuhplattler program. It gives audiences a new sound (benches slamming
on the stage), a new position (up on the benches), and new dances steps to
enjoy.
Vogelfänger — In English,
the Bird Catcher (or Fowler). This Schuhplattler is performed to Haushammer music (or vice versa).
Watschen — This is a “fake fighting”dance that is especially popular with kids.
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2015 Upper Austria Competition
Glocken Plattler
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Glocken — This gives the dancers a chance to show off
their bell-ringing skill. One false step, however, and they can wind up with a
sprained ankle or a crushed bell.
Holzhacker — Some groups add real wood
chopping to this dance. The wildest version we have seen can be found on our
Video Snippets page.
Linzer Bua — This dance (“Linz boy”) is
named after the Austrian town of Linz, about 8 miles from Oberbairing and Altenberg
Bei Linz.
Trompetenecho — This Schuhplattler works
well with either an accordion or a couple of trumpets.
Ausmarsch — This exit dance combines a vigorous
Schuhplattler with the march offstage. |
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Altenberg bei Linz
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2015 Upper Austria Competition
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Schuhplattler As Service
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The Oberbairing Kinder perform not
only at festivals and Schuhplattler competitions, but also at retirement
centers and nursing homes, thus combining service with performance. This photo is from a performance at the Senior Center Franckviertel in Linz. Excerpts of the video can be seen on our Links page, and the complete video is available on YouTube.
Many of the videos on this page come from a recent performance for the residents of the Volkshaus Franckviertel in Altenberg Bei Linz. The
complete performance (with introductions in Austrian German!) can be seen on YouTube. Here the young prize-winning performers are enjoying lunch with their hosts.
A local newspaper ran this photo, with the caption, "The Oberbairing Children's Schuhplattler just fly through the air. The children... headed by Günter Mayr, visited on
Thursday, May 3, 2012, the residents of the seniors' residence St. Anna Caritas during the Maypole Festival of 2012. The great achievement of the young Schuhplattlers
was enjoyed by all."
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  Oberbairing, Austria |
