Bürgerstiftung Haßloch
and the German Uilleann Pipes Association (DUPG)
present:
International Uilleann Piping Day
We celebrate the day of the Irish bagpipe in Hassloch
Friday, 31st October 2025
The Uillean Pipes - an extraordinary instrument
more
The Uilleann Pipes, the Irish bagpipes, were developed from around 1750.
Like the other bagpipe variants (about 350 worldwide), it consists of a leather bag, a melody pipe (called "Chanter"),
and drones. Additionally it has the following features:
- The air is pumped out using a bellows into the bag, and not with a mouthpiece
- There are (usually three) additional pipes (called "regulators") with which harmonics and rhythm can be played.
- The chanter has (almost) a complete two octave range
- Soft sound at a similar volume to violins, flutes, guitars, etc., so that playing music together is possible.
- By closing the chanter, staccato can be played in addition to legato
- The Uilleann Pipes must be played while sitting
More information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uilleann_pipes
What we're planning:
1. Afternoon workshop
Introducing and trying out the Uilleann Pipes
Details
If you would like to learn more about the Irish bagpipes and try out such an instrument, you have the opportunity to do so here.
Experienced pipers will be happy to answer any questions and provide assistance with setting up and playing the instrument for the first time.4:00 - 5:30 p.m.>
in Saal Löwer
Langgasse 66
D-67454 Hassloch
Participation is free, donations are welcome.
To ensure that sufficient instruments are available, we ask you to register informally in advance at:
frank@piper-frank.de
2. The concert
with 3 bands / 5 program items / 17 musicians / 10 pipers
Program:
1. Christian Roch & Uli Dörsch - A Celtic Roadtrip (ca. 30 min.)
2. The Irish Palatines (ca. 30 min.)
Break (ca. 20 min.)
3. Uilleann Pipes Ensemble (ca. 15 min.)
4. The Piper's Call - Irish Music and more (ca. 30 min.)
5. All Star Set (ca. 15 min.)
Time and place:
8:00 p.m.
in Saal Löwer
Langgasse 66
D-67454 Hassloch
Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
Details on the concert program:
1. Christian Roch & Uli Dörsch - A Celtic Roadtrip
Foto: © Robin Daniel Frommer
During their travels through the Celtic regions of Europe and in countless sessions, Christian Roch and Uli Dörsch
have absorbed a wide variety of musical impressions and incorporated them into their music.
On their 'Celtic Roadtrip' they interpret airs, dance tunes and songs from Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere with skill and feeling.
Christian Roch - Uilleann pipes, flutes, whistles, accordion, vocals
Uli Dörsch - String instruments, vocals
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KTDZ2CzIoA
2. The Irish Palatines
Ben Eadair impresses with his voice and his playing on the Irish bouzouki and guitar.
His interpretations of Irish ballads in the style of Daori Farrell, Ronnie Drew, John Doyle, and Luke Kelly
immerse the audience in another world. Uilleann piper Frank Weber and Frank Schmidt on bass and bodhrán are also on board.
In addition to the songs, the program includes danceable jigs and reels.
The band's name recalls a historical episode. Between 1670 and 1789, there was a large wave of emigration from the Palatinate.
Over 100,000 people set out for America. Some of the families were stranded in Ireland on the way there and established the tradition of the "Irish Palatines".
We revive this connection between the Palatinate and Ireland and revive it in our music.
Ben is known for his countless solo performances in Irish pubs throughout southern Germany,
Frank Weber for his bands "Fleadh" und "The Rhine Valley Céilí Band".
Ben Eadair - Vocals, Irish bouzouki, acoustic and electric guitars
Frank Weber - Uilleann pipes, whistles, tenor banjo
Frank Schmidt - Bodhrán, double bass, bass guitar
Video: https://youtu.be/Ltl7vKOjh0c
B R E A K
3. Uilleann Pipes Ensemble
Approximately 10 Uilleann Pipers play together, unplugged.
expected to include:
Anne Seeger,
Katja Lojer,
Bernd Klippert,
Walter Lelle,
Günter Lehnert,
Christian Roch,
Frank Weber,
Martin Wieser,
Jan-Michel Lamschus,
Christopher Kern
t.b.c.:
Eckart Mansfeld,
Alan Daniels,
Jimmy Hughes
4. The Piper's Call - Irish Music and more
A brand new (2025) formation around Uilleann Piper Walter Lelle.
Walter and Wolfgang are known for their membership in the legendary folk band "Flap",
Walter also through his many years of teaching at the music school in Kaiserslautern
and at the German Uilleann Pipes Society (DUPG).
Walter Lelle - Uilleann pipes, whistles, guitar
Wolfgang Szengel - Irish bouzouki
Thomas Erdmann - Tenor banjo, bouzouki, low whistle
Chiara Müller - Irish harp
Birgit Schunk-Lelle - Vocals, bodhrán
5. All-Star Set
All musicians play together on stage.
Posters / Promotion
Please feel free to promote the event with the following images and posters on social media and in print:
Thank You
A big thank you for supporting the event to:
- Karin Rössler for designing the posters
- Uli Dörsch and Frank Schmidt for managing the sound system
- The volunteers of the Hassloch Community Foundation
- All participating musicians for their time, for the rehearsals, and for their sometimes long distance drives
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