Österreichisches Blasmusikmuseum

About the museum

The Austrian Brass Band Museum opened its doors in Oberwölz in August 1997. It is located within the Oberwölz town fortifications and documents brass band music through the ages; it is run by the municipality of Oberwölz. By bringing together civilian and military music history, the museum sees itself as the only comprehensive centre for the brass band genre in all of Austria.

At its heart is a collection of woodwind and brass instruments from the 19th and 20th centuries, including instruments in the high pitch typical of Austria. There are also special items such as an exceptionally large drum and a drum wagon, as well as uniforms and traditional costumes from many regions of Austria, from military music to folk costume bands, and a photo gallery of well-known composers and bandmasters.

Since 2008 the building has housed the documentation centre of the Austrian Brass Band Association, which archives materials on the history of the association and of brass band music and prepares themes each year in a dedicated presentation. The museum also engages in scholarly work and hosted the conferences of the International Society for the Promotion of Wind Music in 2004 and 2016. Together with the Oberwölz Local History Museum, it received the Austrian Museum Seal of Quality, which has been extended until 2028. Since 2021 all rooms have been accessible without barriers via a stair lift.

Highlights

• Woodwind and brass instruments of the 19th and 20th centuries in high pitch
• Uniforms and traditional costumes from military music to folk costume bands
• Sound and slide show from Viennese Classicism to modern brass band music
• Demonstration of historic gramophones
• Museum treasure hunt for children and school classes
• Documentation centre of the Austrian Brass Band Association

Permanent exhibitions

• Blasmusik im Wandel der Zeit – Instruments, uniforms and traditional costumes, a photo gallery of great composers and conductors, and a sound and slide show trace the history of brass band music.
• Dokumentationszentrum des Österreichischen Blasmusikverbands – Presentations by the brass band association on the history of the association and of brass band music, changing every year, at the museum.

Founded

1997

Operated by

Stadtgemeinde Oberwölz

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Steiermark-Card and the Murau GästeCard. One admission ticket is valid for the Brass Band Museum and the Local History Museum.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Since 2021 all rooms of the Brass Band Museum have been accessible without barriers via a stair lift.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Museum treasure hunt with action corners for children and school classes, with a small reward at the end.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit