PLAY SPACES

Music workshops bring people together

The “BandCamps” by Oliver Damaschek-Hahn, Mario Waniek and Lukas Dylong are inclusive music workshops in a familiar environment. They bring together different people to collaborate on songs – under the professional guidance of the three educators and supported by Hörmann.

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Experiencing
music together – that´s the idea behind the „BandCamps“
Several days
a song is developed, recorded and mixed
All people
are welcome – regardless of age, disability and nationality

Music is for everyone and brings people together – be they elderly people, people from a migration background or people with disabilities. Oliver Damaschek-Hahn, Mario Waniek and Lukas Dylong are convinced of this. They are professional musicians and educators and are behind the “BandCamps” project, which Hörmann has supported since 2022.

“With the ‘Am Herzen’ projects, we at Hörmann want to foster practical inclusion projects by and for people with different talents and needs. We are very pleased to have ‘BandCamps’ join us this year, and that many workshops can be held for music fans with and without impairments thanks to our support.“ 
- Martin J. Hörmann, personally liable partner of the Hörmann Group

The dream of being a musician

The “BandCamps” project gives people from different backgrounds the creative outlet to turn their ideas and thoughts into music. The impressions and experiences made in the process can then be shared with other people by performing in a band. The musical and group-dynamic processes are guided by the three experienced musicians and educators.

For this purpose, they are touring all over Germany in their van full of musical equipment to hold their workshops. In this way, they can work with people in their familiar surroundings – for example at special or regular schools or in residential groups. Following recording and rehearsals, the songs are showcased as part of a small concert / presentation.

Making music and meeting people

The musical educators aim to facilitate a positive and inclusive shared experience. The work process requires respect and a willingness to compromise, as different skills and levels of experience are brought into the creative process. The offer is aimed specifically at people with and without physical, mental or intellectual impairments who enjoy music and want to try it out in a group setting. No prior musical experience is required. Instead, participants acquire the necessary skills at the workshop.

In addition to giving people a creative outlet for their musical ambitions, the workshops are a unique experience, as evidenced by statements from participants from previous “BandCamps” sessions:

“The collaboration was really fun!”

“It’s amazing what we were able to put together in five days!”

“I learned so much about myself and the others and we have far exceeded our own expectations.”

“That was the best week in my entire life!”

Overview of our commitment

BandCamps workshop Friedrich von Bodelschwingh School

During a five-day “BandCamps” workshop in June 2023, the band “Rampenlichtkids” developed, rehearsed and recorded the song “Macht’s gut, Adieu, Goodbye”. The group consisted of eight participants with disabilities from the Friedrich von Bodelschwingh School in Bergkamen and two education / special education students from the University of Bielefeld. The song deals with the themes of saying goodbye and taking new paths in life. In keeping with the content, it was presented live by the band at the school’s graduation ceremony at the end of the workshop.

To the song

BandCamps workshop Neinstedt Foundation

At the beginning of May 2023, during a five-day BandCamp workshop in Neinstedt in the Harz region, a catchy pop song was created, which the eleven-member band “Harzattack” christened “Wenn du willst” (If you want to). The band was made up of employees of the Neinstedt Foundation with and without disabilities, aged between 15 and 72. The song covers the important topic of respect, both towards others and oneself. Respect can help to overcome barriers and connect people. Despite the age differences and the diversity of the participants, there was a wonderfully relaxed and creative atmosphere, which then culminated in the performance on the big “open air” stage on the last day with illustrious acts such as “Pohlmann” in the line-up of the open air festival. For the BandCamp team, it is always an incredible experience to see what you can achieve with a group of people where some of the participants have never met before. The trick is to simply engage with each other.

To the song

BandCamps workshop Mamre Patmos School

Openness, inclusion, creativity and equality are the focus of the BandCamps workshops supported by Hörmann, alongside a love of music. The second BandCamps music workshop took place in Bielefeld from 18 to 20 November. The forum of the Mamre Patmos School provided the six participants with enough space and scope for creative work on their own song, which they rehearsed and recorded on CD during these two and a half days. The resulting song by the band “New Ground” is titled “Don’t forget who we are”.

To the song