About The Dorf Kapelle
Capturing the traditional ethnic style of the typical European Village Band, Dorf Kapelle has entertained audiences at major festivals, Stage performances, dances and concerts throughout Wisconsin. Formed in the summer of 1988, this group of fine musicians is dedicated to the reproduction of European music which includes polkas, waltzes, marches and specialty selections performed in the ethnic style of its origin.
The band consists of one flute, three clarinets, two flugelhorns, one trumpet, three trombones, two tubas, one tenor horn, one euphonium, percussion and vocalists. The band is often accompanied by accordions and alphorns. This allows the Dorf Kapelle to provide a versatile show.
Music performed by Dorf Kapelle comes from many sources. The band has a large, growing library of music from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, America and more. Members of the band have also written arrangements specifically for Dorf Kapelle. The musical arrangements coupled with the enthusiastic musicians makes for an entertainment experience that is unparalleled.
Our Founder
Ernie Broeniman
Ernie earned his B.S. in music education at UW Oshkosh and M.A. at the University of Northern Colorado. Starting in 1958, he served as the Instrumental Music Director at Wilson Junior High School, Manitowoc and then at Hortonville High School. Ernie retired from Plymouth High School in 1993. In addition to his family, Ernie’s greatest love was music. He began his music career while in high school performing with his tuba in numerous Wisconsin Polka bands. After college and while teaching, he also performed with various concert bands and symphony orchestras. While teaching in Plymouth, Ernie started what might have been the very first High School German Band in Wisconsin. After retirement, he organized the professional German Band Dorf Kapelle (Village Band). In 2013 this musical organization celebrated 25 years as a professional and respected musical organization. The band still performs throughout Wisconsin, under the leadership of son, Sam. In 2006, by invitation, the band traveled and performed in Crivitz, Germany. Ernie was also active in Wisconsin School of Music Association, by serving as adjudicator and clinician. He was also the section leader/chairman of the Wisconsin State Honors Band. As a member of Wisconsin Orchestra Leaders Association, he developed a grant to supply musical arrangements to music teachers to perform with their students and many current school Ethnic Music Ensembles in Wisconsin. Ernie also enjoyed his travels including Germany, Austria and Switzerland and many others, to visit friends and family and to trade musical ideas and arrangements with different musical groups.