Tomorrow night at 6 p.m., German Club will kick off their annual school-wide music concert, Fraufest. According to German teacher and German Club sponsor Anne “Frau” McPartland, Fraufest is a “musical showcase of FHN talent.” This year’s theme is Insane Dreizehn, which is German for “Insane Thirteen.” There will be four bands performing, along with a few solos and duets.
“I think always my favorite part is that kids who have a band or are musically inclined have an opportunity to perform live for their family and friends,” McPartland said. “That’s the coolest thing — their rock-and-roll dreams come true.”
Seniors Jake Tecklenburg, Maddie Eifert, and Dan Stewart will be emceeing the event. They will speak a little German; McPartland’s band, Drittestunde, will be performing some original German songs by Frau, as well as a popular song translated into German. The concert is open for everyone to enjoy, however- even those who do not speak German.
“There will be German,” McPartland said. “It’s a requirement, but not too much so everyone is included. It’s a show for everyone.”
The theme chosen for this year’s Fraufest will be represented by cats with mustaches in lederhosen. The Fraufest shirt has two cats dressed as such on the front with “Fraufest 2013” and a symbol Stewart came up with on the back.
“I am excited to see all these cool dudes wearing cats on their t-shirts,” Frau said. “It’s going to be a good day.”
The atmosphere of Fraufest will be slightly different from last year as there is no Metal this year, and last year was predominantly Metal. German Club is still hoping for a sold-out show, though.
“I think we will probably fill it up again,” German Club President, Tecklenburg, said. “The music is a little different, so it might not be as crazy, but it will still be a good time.”
The performers selected all went through a tryout process. Prospective candidates either stayed after school and performed in front of a committee, or this year, there was an option to send in a video performance. Everyone who auditioned this year made the cut and will be performing in the show, unlike last year when not all the performers were selected.
“I think it’s a very talented year, musically,” Tecklenburg, who plays the rainstick and sings backup in Drittestunde, said. “I think it should be pretty entertaining as well.”
Along with current students and staff, alumni are also returning to relive their high school Fraufest glory days. David Tecklenburg and his band Under the Willow will be returning to perform in this year’s show. One of the qualifications for being eligible to perform is to have a current student, staff member, or alumni in the band.
“I have wonderful confidence that people will have a good time,” Frau said. “We are bringing some alums too which will be fun.”
There was a dress rehearsal this past Monday, and there will be a sound check before the show on Friday. German Club, which will be setting up all day after school on Friday, is expecting a successful show.
“The best part is everyone getting together to rock out,” Tecklenburg said. “It’s different from my perspective being president. The best thing from my perspective is seeing the success because of all of the hard work we put into it, but for everyone else it’s probably the rocking and rolling.”
