German band to visit Post Falls

There are several Posts among the ranks of Musikverein, Herborn, Germany’s community band. Whether any of them are distantly related to Post Falls founder Frederick Post, however, is a mystery.

Post immigrated to the United States from Herborn, and this week about 50 of the German city’s residents will visit Post Falls as part of Musikverein’s third trip to the city.

“We formed a real relationship over the last 10 to 15 years,” said Joe Doellefeld, who is helping organize the band’s upcoming concerts in Post Falls.

Musikverein performs its mix of military band music, oompa music and American standards Friday and Sunday at Q’emiln Park.

Band conductor Erwin Gabriel said the band plans a tribute to American military with military members or veterans carrying flags from the different branches of the armed forces.

“I thought this would be a good idea because it’s the Fourth of July that we play,” he said.

The band will also play traditional German music, Frank Sinatra songs and more at that show. The Sunday concert at the park will feature more religious music.

The band itself has 32 members between the ages of 5 and 60, Gabriel said. Others accompany the musicians who are mostly under the age of 20.

The band also has two singers.

They will stay with host families while in Post Falls, then head off on a sightseeing tour of the west before flying to Minnesota for more concerts.

“We appreciate the hospitality we have there,” Gabriel said of Post Falls. “We would never be able to do it if we stayed in hotels.”

The band saves the money it earns performing in Germany to travel to the U.S. every few years.

Formed in 1978, the band previously performed in Post Falls in 2000 and 2004.

“We’ve made some friends over the years,” Doellefeld said.

Doellefeld said he doesn’t want to “strong arm” anyone, but there will be donation boxes at the concerts to help the band with its expenses.

He has also designed several souvenirs which will be for sale Friday. They include a commemorative coin, pin and T-shirts. Band CDs will also be available.