Inclusion through music: Making music together in Oberallgäu!

Inclusion through music: Making music together in Oberallgäu!

Music connects generations, and this is impressively demonstrated in the new inclusive music project “Making Music Together”, which was launched by Lebenshilfe Sonthofen together with the Oberallgäu-Süd Music School. Lebenshilfe would particularly like to thank Angelika Bolz and Kathrin Seebacher, who were in charge of organizing the project. This offer is aimed at everyone who enjoys music, regardless of previous knowledge.

Under the direction of Kathrin Seebacher, participants were able to try out various instruments, including guitar, violin, table harp, accordion and drums. The nice thing about this course is that everyone finds their “instrument” and is introduced to simple pieces in a playful way - without any notes, but with a lot of joy and team spirit. Seebacher, who works as a music school teacher at the Oberallgäu-Süd Music School, has a good knack for musical accompaniment and uses her experience to not only promote classical instruments, but also elementary music practice and music pedagogy.

An important contribution to inclusion

Lebenshilfe emphasizes how important it is to work with the music school in order to live inclusion in a musical context. Seebacher also brings in her expertise from working with people affected by dementia and in the Allgäu workshops. In her part-time course to become a music teacher for people with disabilities, she deepens her knowledge, which only makes the project even more valuable.

For anyone interested, the dates for the first half of 2026 will be announced in the Lebenshilfe program booklet for the southern Oberallgäu district and at the Oberallgäu-Süd music school. So if you want to immerse yourself in the world of music or get to know new instruments, you shouldn't miss this opportunity!

Expertise for musical participation

Speaking of musical participation: A lot has also happened recently in the area of ​​music education. Professor Hans Hermann Wickel was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on September 24, 2025. This happened in a solemn ceremony led by District President Andreas Bothe in Münster. Wickel, co-founder of the music geragogics department, has been committed to using music as a bridge between generations for over two decades.

In the German Society for Music Geragogics, which he co-founded, Wickel is strongly committed to promoting musical and cultural participation among older people. His numerous initiatives and projects in Münster have contributed to this area becoming increasingly important. It turns out that music is not just a hobby, but also a valuable means of social integration.

The genre offers a wide range of opportunities for music lovers of all ages and backgrounds - be it in inclusive projects like in Oberallgäu or through the efforts of experts like Wickel. The joy of music knows no bounds and will continue to connect generations.