Hünenberg Drum Major: "A Guggenmusik can sometimes play wrong"

The drum major is the boss of a Guggenmusik band. In order to hold the group together and successfully get through the ‘5th season’, Jara Popp, the “Tambi” of the Hünenberg Guggenmusik Cocorico, has a few tricks in store.

In the Metalli shopping centre in Zug, Jara Popp starts counting in a loud voice. At her command, the Guggenmusik Cocorico begins its performance, and the spectators in the Metalli bob their heads to the cacophonic rhythm. Jara Popp has been a drum major, or "Tambi" for short, of the Hünenberg Guggenmusik for seven years, now, and, for the performances, stands on a wooden box so that she can be seen by all the band members.

She directs the players with simple hand movements, and regulates the music volume within the numbers. “Anyone can just play very loud. The art is in the detail,” explains the 29-year-old from Rotkreuz after the concert. Varying the volume is a simple way to make the performance more interesting for the audience. "A Gugge can sometimes play wrong, that's part of it," says Jara Popp. The focus is on fun, because they’re all volunteers.

After the Schmudo performance at the Metalli in Zug, Popp and the other Cocorico’s have been on their feet for over 24 hours. The 5th season started for them on Wednesday evening, with the Gagserball in Hasle, Lucerne. They then went directly to the Zug Chesslete and, after a quick breakfast, there were about ten appearances during the whole Schmudo.

"We lose our sense of time very quickly at the Carnival," reveals Popp. The group let themselves go, and come up with creative ideas such as taking along an aeroplane seat on wheels – with some ideas certainly as a result of the alcohol. It’s clear that there’s a lot of fun - and also a lot of drinking. “But everyone is mostly on time. Keeping the group together is not that difficult.” If a member has looked so deeply into the glass that he/she in unable to play his/her instrument, the 'Tambi' takes it with humour: “I then ask them to dance among the audience during the performance. And, that way, we have one more fan.”

Photo 1: Jara Popp has been the drum major of Guggenmusik Cocorico for seven years.
Photo 2: And is clearly appreciated by the band members
Photo 3: Cocorico Guggenmusik
Photo 4: Concert in the Metalli Zug

As a drum major, Jara Popp has a certain responsibility for the Gugge, which is why she can never completely let go. “Every member is tired at some point. I myself can’t afford to have a hangover. I drink very little alcohol and have certain secret weapons,” says Popp, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a pack of bouillon cubes, a water bottle, a pillow and a blanket.

The Cocoricos start with the weekly rehearsals in the autumn, after which a trial weekend takes place in October. “Then we also have time for things such as the exchange of instruments. By dealing with this during the trial week, no one has the idea of spontaneously changing the instrument during the carnival.” She has noticed that the quality of music has decreased in recent years, says Popp, who used to play the saxophone in a youth music and is active in a band. Only a few band members can read music, which is why the songs are primarily learned and practiced from recordings.

"It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find young people who can already play an instrument. In addition, people seem to have more and more hobbies, which diminishes the importance of Guggenmusik," says Popp. The Guggenmusik Cocorico consists of around 40 members - the youngest of whom is 18, and the oldest 35. The Cocorico’s held their Chlämmerball on Friday, and they gave performances at various parades and balls over the weekend, took a mystery trip yesterday. the Hünenberger carnival parade follows on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a monster concert. The carnival is then finished with the burning of the Eichefrässer in Hünenberg and the Fasi-Off. She’ll already be back at work again on Ash Wednesday, Jara Popp reveals. "It'll be OK," she says, with a grin, pulling a bouillon cube from her pocket.