Posted by Volker on January 23, 2003 at 17:37:28:
Just for those who are interested in a traditional Austrian military band oddity:
The tradition army band HOCH- UND DEUTSCHMEISTER of Vienna (www.deutschmeister.at) are still playing in high pitch and original turn-of-the-century instruments configuration. The pitch is a half higher than ususal. They still have valve trombones and helicons instead of "normal" tubas. Furthermore, they also want to provide Eb and bass trumpets again in the near future.
This band is quite famous in Europe and the roots go back to the k.u.k. Austrian-Hungary empire of the 19th century. More infos (in German) and pics at their web site.
Austria has another (similar) tradion army band: the Tiroler Kaiserjaeger, but they play in standard pitch with a big bunch of Kaisertubas. They have about 80 members.
Both bands are not integrated in the Austrian army, but the majority of players are former military musicians. The uniforms are equivalent to the originals of the pre WWI era.