100th anniversary. Schloss Neubeuern.

Neubeurer Knappenschar

08.05.2025

Farewell song of the Hinterhörer miners

Men's choir 2025

On 8 May in our anniversary year, our music teacher Christina Rothmayer spontaneously managed to get around 20 “boys” of various ages to take part in a historical project. The old guest books at Neubeuern Castle also contain numerous pieces of sheet music. We have always been curious to find out what kind of melody is actually hidden behind the ornate drawings. One of the songs was immortalised by the “Neubeurer Knappenschar” on 23 February 1941. The closure of the school on 13 February 1941 came as a great surprise to everyone. The pupils who were quartered at Gut Hinterhör also had to leave their home and the idea of having to leave ‘their beloved place’ was very painful for them. For many it was not even possible due to the circumstances of the war. They wrote this song as a farewell and to thank Julie von Wendelstadt and Ottonie von Degenfeld-Schonburg.

Listen

"hol- die, hol- la- di- o"

At first we thought that our pupils wouldn’t be able to get much out of this old text and the simple “march melody” and that they might also be too shy to sing – after all, some of the lower school boys were singing side by side with their “older” classmates. But – it turned out quite differently! In the dining hall, at lunch, the word “men’s choir” quickly got around – somehow “cool” to be here. Especially because it was a historical testimony – they wanted to support it. I was amazed and my heart beat with joy when I witnessed how much fun everyone was having as they collectively celebrated the dignity and magic that emanated from the thought of the boys from back then. They were the same age as them and loved “their Neubeuern” equally.

It’s moments like these that make you realise how worthwhile it is to get involved in a project like this and why you love being here in Neubeuern. Many thanks to Christina Rothmayer, who always manages to motivate and inspire our pupils for such projects – simply to get the best out of them.

Katrin Burkamp

Male choir rehearsal

Music teacher Christina Rothmayer was only able to get her men’s choir together twice – outside of regular lessons. Nevertheless, the song was sung flawlessly, the timpani were beaten properly and the rehearsal was great fun