David Blumberg’s German classes attended a Tonbandgerät concert at the New Parish in Oakland on March 7.
Tonbandgerät, a German rock band, is touring from Seattle to Boston.
The concert is sponsored by the Gothe Institute, which supports German language learning in America.
The concert was free, but the students had to pay $3.50 for a BART ticket. The students also had to bring money for lunch. At the end of the concert, students could buy Tonbandgerät shirts.
Stanley Middle School, Northgate High School, and Foothill High School German students also attended the concert.
Blumberg believed that concert was a positive experience. “I was pleased that there were so many people there. It was great to have all of my students there, and to see them enjoying the concert,” he said.
“It was one of the highlights of the German class,” freshman Max Lee said.
“I thought that it was really cool listening to a foreign band for the class that I am taking a language in,” sophomore Zoe Marrott said.
Near the end of the concert, the band also performed 2 songs in English. “Toward the end was the best part of the concert,” Lee said.
Lee believed the band connected with its audience. “I think that they did a great job getting the crowd pumped up. Everyone had their hands in the air,” he said.
“It is not that we are learning German through the songs and texts, which is also part of it. It is also about increasing the enthusiasm in learning a language. It is fun,” Blumberg said.
