Celebrate Oktoberfest With The Swinging Bavarians At Lakewood Public Library

The Swinging Bavarians bring Oktoberfest to Lakewood Public Library on Sunday, July 13 at 2 p.m. when they perform as part of the Library’s Sunday with the Friends series. German oompah music and polkas will abound. However, the Swinging Bavarians also perform marches, waltzes, standards, children’s favorites, swing music and rock.  Dr. Tom Herbell conducts the Swinging Bavarians and plays clarinet. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Herbell worked for many years as a scientist at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. Before their concert, he takes the time to answer a few questions.

LPL: Where did you get the idea to start the Swinging Bavarians?

TH: The idea to play German music came from small groups of musicians playing after regular rehearsals of the al Koran Shriners concert band. In the early 1980's I joined a Czech brass band playing the Eb clarinet -- a very difficult instrument to master, but essential to Czech music. In 1990, the Shriners held a meeting in Cleveland, and I decided to enter the German band competition. We received a rating of superior!  I bought some brass band music and was hooked.  We now have a library of over 250 titles. One of the first books we purchased had a number entitled "Swinging Bavaria" -- located between "When the Saints Go Marching in" and “Clementine."  Immediately we became the "Swinging Bavarians"

LPL: Is the clarinet your first instrument?

TH: Clarinet was my first true instrument. I began studying it in the 4th grade. I had been a failure at both drums and piano, but there was a clarinet in my father’s house. He no longer played it, so it became mine. After a year, dad bought me my own horn. I was selected to play in the Hermit Club Orchestra (quite an honor for a high school senior). I wanted to study music, however my teacher advised against it: "Keep it as a hobby, but choose another vocation." I turned down a music scholarship to become a scientist, but music was, and continues to be, an important part of my life. 

LPL: Tell us a little about the Swinging Bavarians’ charity work.

TH: The money we earn from performing and from the sale of our CD's is contributed to the Shriner's Hospitals for children with orthopedic needs and severe burns. There are 22 such facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama.  There is an orthopedic unit in Erie, PA and a burns unit in Cincinnati. There is no charge for treatment in these facilities.  Since the year 2000 we have contributed approximately $14,000.00.

LPL: Do the Swinging Bavarians wear costumes?

TH: Our costume is quite simple: a "Bavarian hat" from Salzburg and red hosenträger. Lederhosen were too expensive so we opted for hosenträger (suspenders) instead.

The Swinging Bavarians’ concert will take place in the Main Library Auditorium at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 13.