Can you imagine celebrations, whether church or secular, without music? The folk and club festivals of the marksmen, the sportsmen or the fire department without brass band music? Processions on Corpus Christi or All Saints' Day without brass band music?
The citizens of Avenwedde are in the extremely fortunate position of being able to build on two above-average orchestras here in their own town: The Youth Music Corps Avenwedde – City of Gutersloh – e. V. and the music club Avenwedde e. V. from 1911. However, one must not make the mistake of simply thinking "the music" is just there. Because the music association exists since 1911 and finally they were always there since then..
For a reasonable and regular rehearsal work, but even more for a successful and committed promotion of young musicians, a home for rehearsals, training and of course also for socializing is needed. The counter calculation is actually quite simple:
No music center -> no training -> no youth music corps -> sooner or later no more music club -> and then the music has to come from elsewhere, if at all..
This is why the Altewischer Foundation Music Center is so important.
The former Altewischer distillery
The name Altewischer has a long tradition in Avenwedde. Already in the last century the distillery Altewischer was established on the former farm of the same name. The famous Pollhanserschnaps was successfully distilled here for many years. The distillery grounds used to consist essentially of three areas, the distillery building itself (today still partly existing as condominiums of the "Residenz Altewischer"), the first Avenwedder Spritzenhauschen (today the equipment shed of the housing complex) and the farmhouse, a so-called Westphalian four-stand house, today's music center.
The origin of the Altewischer music center
For the Jugendmusikkorps Avenwedde and the Musikverein Avenwedde, regular rehearsals were not possible until the mid-1970s. An own domicile was not available. So they used u.a. the hall of the Bettenworth restaurant, but has had to repeatedly skip rehearsals at other events held there. The training of the next generation took place at home with members of the associations, in some cases even in local craftsmen's workshops. Here Albert Fuchtenkord had the saving idea: The empty farmhouse Altewischer should be converted to the sample area. An agreement was quickly reached with the owners, the Burbach family, so that the reconstruction of the "music center" could begin in early 1976. The entire rebuilding was accomplished in own contribution, whereby also from outside Avenweddes assistance came. (Special thanks are due at this point, even after so many years, to the men and women of the Schutzenbund Lechterke-Grothe.) In a small ceremony the music center was opened on 26. February 1977 to its destination. Henceforth it now served as a home and rehearsal venue for the clubs. Already in the summer of 1977 the first big joint concert of both orchestras took place under the mighty oaks at the Altewischer music center.
Support association youth music corps Avenwedde
The music center was originally leased to the JMA and the music club by the Burbach family until 1999. In 1992, the former distillery building of the estate was then sold and converted into condominiums. In order to secure the existence of the Altewischer music center, citizens and local politicians decided in the same year to found the Forderverein Jugendmusikkorps Avenwedde e. V. to found a tenants' association with the aim of acquiring the rest of the property. This unique goal was set on 16.01.reached in 1995.
The foundation for the acquisition of the music center was laid through a variety of actions. This is how Fridolin Hagenluke organized a membership drive for the newly founded support association. A large donation from a local Avenwedder entrepreneur worth 100.000 DM laid the financial foundation. The city of Gutersloh also lobbied for the acquisition of the site and provided a generous loan. A large part of the funds was raised until today, of course, by the two clubs Jugendmusikkorps and Musikverein themselves.
The mission of the Friends today is to continue to raise funds to finance the music center and for its maintenance and that of the associated grounds.
The Old Wiper Foundation
Today, the foundation Altewischer means two things. Spatially, the term Altewischer Foundation refers to the entire site with restoration, music center and action area. In organizational terms, the Altewischer Foundation is the administrative unit of the designated area. The Avenwedde Music Club and the Avenwedde Youth Music Corps are now tenants of the Music Center. The food service area is leased to the Italian restaurant "Le Stelle". But other clubs in Avenwedde can also use the music center and the grounds. For example, the Avenwedder Maypole (organized by the foundation itself along with 32 Avenwedder clubs) is held there every two years, and a weekly market is also held on the grounds every Friday. Men's choral society, Catholic Workers' Movement, Blue and White marching band and local party chapters have also been occasional users.
Obtaining a Cultural Asset
With the foundation of the "Forderverein Jugendmusikkorps Avenwedde" and the "Stiftung Altewischer" a cultural asset was saved for all people of Avenwedde and a perfect rehearsal domicile for the two orchestras was created. To maintain this large estate, there are many tasks to be accomplished. The largest part is in the handicraft range. Constantly need to make repairs to worn out components of the house and make changes. This would not have been possible without the hard work of the many volunteers. Most notable here are the board members, active musicians, and all members of both orchestra clubs. Also friendly associations and some Avenwedder citizens participate constantly in the actions. The biggest actions in 2003 were the reconstruction and renovation of the restaurant Le Stelle, the creation of the associated beer garden and the paving of the action square. But the financial and tax aspects also demand a lot of work from the board members.
In conclusion, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all those involved. In today's fast-moving world, it is no longer a matter of course to be involved in associations and to perform an honorary office. An honorary office means to master the tasks entrusted to one honorably, but without financial compensation. We will all continue to work to ensure that OUR cultural asset, the Altewischer Foundation, remains part of the cultural life of Avenwedde in the future and that the youth work, which is so important, can be continued.