Expect the unexpected! De Stille Fanfare, a silent brass band that is unheard of…
Fully decorated in costumes complete with instruments, the Silent Brass Band marches by. At the head of the parade is the drum major who leads the company with a steady step. Where is the band going? Will they ever make music? And will the Major-General make a speech that is impossible to follow? Or will the band simply disappear as quietly as they came? Anything is possible. Whatever happens, they will leave their audiences at festivals, company events, or random get-togethers pleasantly disoriented.
In lockstep, view straight ahead, determined: The silent brass band leaves passers-by with open mouths when marching through the streets: all dressed up in uniforms, these people apparently mean business.
Or do they? The man with the triangle has his shirt un-tucked in back, the timpani player casually holds a cigarette between his lips and the drum major wears a beard like a heavy metal rocker. No one plays a note on his instrument. Ever. In fact, only two of the band members can play an instrument.
The idea for the Stille Fanfare was born in 2007, when founders Jelle de Bruijn and Ron Jagers were asked to come up with an idea that would motivate the residents of Amersfoort, Holland, to participate in a public online discussion about the city`s cultural activities. They decided to announce this event with a brass band, but given their preference for absurdity, a highly unusual one… The costumes and instruments came from a `real` brass band who had just broken up, choreography was put together – and off they marched.
No need for rehearsals, the band members are simply asked to obediently follow what their fearless leader comes up with. He might decide to march into a shop or restaurant, or imitate a passer-by. Rumor has it that spectators in South of France almost wet their pants when a 17 year old girl was seen running out of a shop, wildly screaming at a full brass band running behind her.
Sometimes the band`s creatives will come up with a speech for the occasion.. A special challenge for the band members, who – lined up beside the speaker - usually don`t know the content of the speech, and often have to hold their instruments in front of their face to conceal their laughter…
Like any other business, the band will come up with regular promotional activities: A CD, which features… of course not music but the sound of marching, on asphalt, a busy street or through the mud. A sexy calendar, with photos of the band members on a car graveyard in their underwear. Or a knitted lingerie line, presented on a huge dining table as a Catwalk… Who knows what they will come up with next, but Jelle de Bruijn promises that it will always be `something absurd, completely stupid and a bit sexy’.
Asked for their most exciting gig invitation so far, he mentions the one from the city of New York in 2010, asking the Stille Fanfare to participate in a 9/11 memorial march. This adventure didn`t happen for lack of subsidies , but chances are that they will come up with it this year...
After 4 years of marching, there is no end in sight for the Stille Fanfare. Further confusion is to be expected in Holland, Germany, France, the US… Surprising audiences, just for the fun of it.. that`s what they do and they ARE having a lot of fun. Always.