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About us
The Edelweiss Band
The Edelweiss Band has been performing traditional Bavarian and Oktoberfest music in the 'DMV' (DC/MD/VA) since 1969, delighting audiences, young and young at heart, with a variety of music, including polkas, waltzes, Biergarten favorites, and pop/cover tunes. Our vocal arrangements are primarily sung 'auf Deutsch' and frequently include yodeling. All of our programs are performed with an attention to detail and authenticity.
Notable performances of the last few years include the inaugural Taste of Oktoberfest in Washington, DC (sponsored by the German Embassy and the German-American Heritage Foundation), Grand Carnavale at Kings Dominion (VA), The Washington Nationals, The Baltimore Orioles, Town of Berlin (MD) Oktoberfest, and Das Best Oktoberfest (Baltimore, MD). We have also performed for a number of local / regional restaurants and breweries - the Bavarian Inn (Shepherdstown, WV), The Wonderland Ballroom and Prost DC (DC), Barley Naked Brewery (Stafford, VA), and the Old Stein Inn (Edgewater, MD) and Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Halethorpe, MD) - as well as for our service members and their families at Joint Base Andrews (MD).
1969-2011 origins
The origins of The Edelweiss Band can be traced back to 1969 when Lothar Steschner (1935-2018) began playing Bavarian music on his accordion in the Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Wheaton, Maryland. Eventually, Lothar, originally from Cologne, Germany, teamed up with his friends, Roland Zeender from Switzerland and Rainer Wetzling from Stuttgart, Germany, to form a band. Together with additional musicians, the three friends sang in native German, developed a large following, and the original Edelweiss Band was born.
2011-2021 New LEADERSHIP
In 2011, Lothar retired and turned The Edelweiss Band over to the capable hands of Brian Priebe (baritone / trombone / alpenhorn / vocals) and Bill Weinig (drums). In addition to his talents as a musician, Brian organized the music, created and revised arrangements to meet the needs of the band, and directed the performances from the bandstand. Bill's vision for providing high quality traditional Bavarian music led him to hire the best musicians, cultivate relationships with a number of repeat clients, and hold The Edelweiss Band together with his tasteful drumming.
2022 and beyond!
Since 2022, The Edelweiss Band has continued to provide quality entertainment for our friends and fans of German music under the leadership of Rob White and Brian Priebe. The five-piece band - consisting of baritone horn, trumpet, accordion, tuba, and drums - plays the full repertoire of traditional and contemporary Oktoberfest music. For certain occasions, there is a trio version that can provide for your musical needs.
Interested in having The Edelweiss Band perform for you? Click the 'Contact Us' button above to start the process.
