As every postdoc, I am quite busy doing research. Nevertheless, I find it important to be able to pursue other interests, too. In particular living in a very different country from my home country, I think it is important to keep social contacts and it is also very satisfying to learn about a different culture.

I have been playing the Euphonium since was about 14. Back in Switzerland I was member of the local wind orchestra of the village I was living (Musikgesellschaft Rubigen). I also have been conducting from time to time. For some time I was even involved in the education of young people in a youth wind orchestra (Jugendmusik Ostermundigen). There, I have also been conducting from time to time.

When arriving in Tsukuba in fall 1996 I almost immediately joined the University of Tsukuba Symphonic Band. I still consider this to be one of the best things I have been doing to find a new (temporary) home in Japan. My Japanese language abilities would have never progressed so much without having to struggle all the time to understand what the conductor is explaining during rehearsals....

A collection of pictures related to the University of Tsukuba Symphonic Band can be found here (explanations are in German, sorry).

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