Felix Geroldinger (26) recently became 1st trombonist with the Vorpommern Philharmonic Orchestra. The young Upper Austrian is thus fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional musician.
A conversation with the Enzenkirchener accompanies an introduction to instrument knowledge. His family is an example of how enthusiasm for music can develop without pressure, but with loving encouragement. Tangible enthusiasm.
Special instruments discovered for themselves
Father Karl studied trumpet and is head of the Oö. Landesmusikschulwerk, his mother teaches the flute. Felix started learning the trumpet at the age of seven. His brother discovered his love for drums and has already completed his studies in Vienna. The sister followed the mother’s path and is about to complete her university education with the flute.
The parents regularly took the children to concerts and rehearsals, there was never any pressure, so everyone was free to develop where it suited them: “It was very motivating that they showed us a lot .” Felix graduated from the Music High School in Linz, while also completing preliminary studies at the Bruckner University in Linz.
“A very formative time, because you deal very intensively with music with people who have a similar attitude.” He and his siblings regularly took part in prima la musica and won numerous prizes. After completing his bachelor’s degree (trombone, tenor horn and euphonium) there, Felix began teaching at the state music schools in Raab and Andorf and continued his studies in Vienna. euphonium?
“The euphonium is similar to the tenor horn, just built a little differently with a straight bell and is mainly used in brass big bands, works the same and sounds a little different,” explains the musician. The baritone, which Geroldinger also plays, is a little smaller: “A wonderful instrument that is not so well known here.” He is also committed to having works rewritten or rewritten for “his” rare instruments.
After winning the audition in Western Pomerania against 15 competitors, he has now found a new musical home. He has been 1st trombonist with the Philharmonic Orchestra since June. The fact that the city is located by the sea is particularly pleasing to sea lovers. The probationary period runs for one year, after which he can be permanently taken on. His parents have already visited him and seen him live.
When he comes home – a distance of 900 kilometers – he takes the opportunity to make music with the family. This can be in the Ried Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by father, or in the sibling trio Ensemble Esprit, founded in 2008. Away from classical music, he likes to play in the Upper Austrian Brass Band: “A very cool type of music, very intense.”
Geroldinger has just released his first solo CD, which is not only called “Premiere” but also because he is trying to bring the baritone to the fore as a soloist. It includes new works, such as a composition by the Upper Austrian. Composer Thomas Doss for Geroldinger, and two pieces that Felix recorded with his siblings.
At his new place of work, he is enthusiastic about “great colleagues, varied work and enjoyment of work”. The latter also means practicing three hours a day. He finds balance in photography, traveling and doing things with friends. Like everyone else, he also dreams of playing with the Vienna Philharmonic, but: “I want to have fun with music, where and how is not so important.”
By Melanie Wagenhofer