Outdoor Scoop: Alphorns in Oregon's Little Switzerland

Late in September for the last 49 years the Swiss-Bavarian heritage has been celebrated at Wallowa County’s Alpenfest. The area, commonly known as Oregon’s “Little Switzerland”, includes the town of South Wallowa Lake where the festival originated. The four day event is currently held in Joseph, Oregon. The long weekend, which is well attended by locals and visitors from all over the northwest, begins with a ceremonial keg tapping and music at a local brewery Terminal Gravity. Three formal performances include a Bavarian band, dancing, yodeling, a fine German meal and alphorn demonstrations. Although the focus is SwissBavarian, I figure my Finish and Swedish heritage is close enough. Mrs. Groupe and I have enjoyed Alpenfest for many years but admittedly our polka technique still needs a little work. To add a little spice to the alphorn segment they held a mini-concert in the alpine setting at elevation 8,100 feet at the top of Wallowa Lake Tram. Alphorns, also known as alpine horns, are the Swiss national symbol and the highlight of their national tradition. They are a unique simple instrument which has changed very little in the five to six centuries of their existence. Back in the day they were used by herders and mountain dwellers to communicate from up to six miles. Stockmen used them extensively to tell their livestock when it was time to return to the ranch. They were also used to calm their stock. The alphorn players were Phil and Gail Newman who reside in the city. Both are professional musicians, teachers and instrument builders. Their forte is performing and building historical instruments. Phil is known as “Portland’s reigning master of early music. Alphorns are difficult to play as there are no finger holes or valves to make different notes. They are most like the French horn and the trombone. I played the trombone for three years in junior high so when I tried my luck on an alphorn I successfully produced a couple of notes. It actually sounded much like a moose mating call. Several of us rode up the tram just for the concert. We were joined by others on the hiking trails who were fascinated by the unique event. The response was so good they played two hours with a couple of lip resting breaks. Their selections all included beautiful two-part harmony which is traditional. In our younger days we might have hiked over to the next mountain to see how well the notes traveled. We did hike to a point 400 yards up the ridge and could hear the angelic melodies quite nicely. The average alphorn is a specific length around twelve feet long. The longest ever built was in Boise a few years ago and was 152 feet long. Phil got to play about 70 feet of it. We are Alpenfest fans enough that Mrs. Groupe wears a traditional Bavarian flower crown and I strut around in my Tyrolean hat and leather lederhosen. The interesting historical use of alpenhorns has been followed in the last two centuries where they are a source of musical pleasure primarily at festivals and parades.