Remembering Dan Biehler

We are saddened to hear that Dan Biehler passed away in March. Dan was the Gauverband’s first Gaumusikwart, appointed to the position by Gauvorstand Walter Wieand in 1992. He served until 1994 when he did not run for reelection due to work commitments. Dan was a tremendously knowledgeable and talented musician, playing button box accordion, Hackbrett, and several other instruments. At the 1992 and 1994 Delegates Meetings and the 1993 Gaufest, he led several music workshops. Dan was 81 when he passed away.

Even before becoming Musikwart, Dan shared his vast knowledge with us in the form of eight in depth articles in the Gauzeitung about various Alpine instruments.  In his first article (1988) he wrote, “up til now, little has been said about the instruments and music we all enjoy so much. These items are so integral to the culture that we tend to take them for granted, thereby overlooking how the music developed and how the use of specific instruments became part of the cultural tradition. In my opinion, these aspects are as important as authentic dress, dance and customs and need equal attention for their preservation.”

Vergelt’s Gott, Dan, for your contributions to the Gauverband. Ruhe in Frieden.

--Tom Vogt, 1. Gauvorstand