That was the Woodstock Academy 2022!

Updated 30.08.2022

For the second time, the Woodstock Academy was hosted in the Kitzbühel Alps-Brixental from 21 to 28 August 2022. A week full of emotions, full of music, full of friendly moments and educational content. A week together with almost 300 participants from 5 nations and 50 teachers of different instruments. An experience that all participants will remember for a long time. We say THANK YOU.

That was the Woodstock Academy 2022: Joint further education, paired with the incomparable Woodstock feeling. A mantra that still resonates when we think of the week we spent together in the three towns of Brixen, Kirchberg and Westendorf. From 21 - 28 August 2022,almost 300 participants from Austria, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerlandwere guests in the Kitzbühel Alps to put music centre stage. More than 120 workshops and courses for 25 instruments and interest groups were on the programme. 50 instructors imparted their knowledge and skills to participants of all ages. From a 14-year-old participant to an 81-year-old, every age and every playing level was present.

The three towns of Brixen, Kirchberg and Westendorf served as venues for the courses and workshops. Lessons were held in schools and music halls, in parish halls and churches, even in a distillery. Whether on the mountain or in the valley - the Woodstock Academy brought music to the region for a whole week. Together with the Tourism Association Kitzbüheler Alpen-Brixental and the many associations and people in charge in the region, it was again possible this year to create places where open interaction as well as concentrated musical training was possible. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the warm hosts and all the people involved!

And it was precisely this versatility and openness that could be felt not only among the hosts and the workshops offered by the Woodstock Academy, but also among the participants themselves. No matter whether they were beginners on an instrument or prospective music students - the workshops were a mixture of interests and personalities, experiences and adventures. Wherever one looked, music was made together, learned together, experienced together. And yet each participant was able to organise his or her week as individually as they wanted. Already on the first evening the ice was quickly broken: many knew each other from the previous year and were looking forward to the upcoming week together.

Thanks to the Woodstock Academy Organiser, it is possible to customise the timetable. Up until 7 p.m. the night before, the participants were able to add new lessons or choose workshops during the week. This way, the week always remained exciting and everyone was able to get the best out of it. The modular system of the Woodstock Academy makes it possible: many workshops are already included in the basic package, but those who want to get to grips with their instrument more intensively in individual lessons can book them individually. With the desired teacher and at the desired time.

But as important as the joint further training is, fun is also essential. That is why the Woodstock Academy was peppered with numerous highlights and evening events where participants and lecturers could exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. On Sunday, they met for the first time at the opening concert with the Original Woodstock Musikanten, led by the artistic director of the Woodstock Academy, Matthias Schorn. If there were any fears of contact on Sunday, they were definitely gone on Monday. The musicians' get-together in the Brixner Stadl was fun, convivial and communal. Participants and teachers alike made music under the guidance of Manfred Hirtenlehner and gave free rein to their musical inspiration.

Things were a little quieter on Tuesday, but just as intense. Felix Gottwald was a special guest at the Woodstock Academy and gave an inspiring talk in the arena365 in Kirchberg. The evening was filled with stories and experiences of his Olympic career, paired with exhilarating anecdotes and life wisdom that are essential not only for athletes but also for musicians. An impressive insight into the world of Austria's most successful Olympic athlete was provided especially for those participants who took part in the morning hike with Felix Gottwald the following day. At sunrise, the path from the Alte Mittel to the Sonnalm was taken, meditated on together, hiked and had breakfast

This year there was also a special focus on folk music and folk dance. Hermann and Vinzenz Härtel held several workshops on this topic at the seminar hut, directly at the Filzalmsee in Brixen, and the participants showed what they had learned at a folk dance evening on Wednesday in the Alpenrosensaal. But the programme also included alphorn playing and music playing. Singing was mainly done by the "Woodstock Academy Choir" and by the participants of the yodelling workshops. On Thursday, the ensemble "Art of Brass" showed how a wide variety of musical styles can be paired with the wonderful acoustics of Brixen Parish Church. And on Friday, the Woodstock Night took place with the Windstreich Musikanten, the Woodstock Oberkrainer Mob and the brass band Junger Schwung. Throughout the week, participants could try out instruments and get advice at the Buffet Crampon instrument exhibitions. And on Saturday the Woodstock Academy should have ended with a joint mountain mass around the Filzalmsee, but due to the weather the mountain mass turned into a valley mass in the Alpenrosensaal. It was a worthy conclusion with many emotional moments and a friendly: "THANK YOU! We'll see you again", which still resonates.

It still resonates, the Woodstock Academy 2022, the joy of making music together. The new friendships that were made. The things we experienced and learned together and the many emotional moments that brought us closer together as a community. Many teachers have already confirmed their participation for 2023 and the basic package for the Woodstock Academy 2023 can already be booked at www.woodstockacademy.at. We are looking forward to the third Woodstock Academy from 20 to 26 August 2023 in the three towns of Brixen, Kirchberg and Westendorf!