“Almost no one could sit still here, because this children’s play – like many others penned by the Dortmund musician before it – was once again great fun.” Ruhr Nachrichten
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Alf Hoffmann – Composer (1951)
Alf Hoffmann was born in 1951 in Mühbrook/Schlesw. Holst. and spent his youth in Freiburg i. Br.
He studied violin and conducting at the Musikhochschule in Freiburg.
He has been a member of the 1st violin section of the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra since 1977.
His compositions include numerous chamber music works and drama music, including for school theater performances, which led him to musical work with children and young people.
His collaboration with the teacher and author Monika Reimers began with a commission for a children’s concert at the Dortmund Opera House. Since 1989, 5 children’s concert pieces have been created, which have been successfully performed by many theaters and orchestras in Germany and abroad, including under the musical direction of Alf Hoffmann.
In 2012-2013, a 6th children’s concert was created in collaboration with the children’s book author and illustrator Paul Maar, which was premiered in 2013.
Paul Maar – Author (1937)
Paul Maar, born in Schweinfurt in 1937, studied painting and art history.
Today he lives as a freelance author and illustrator in Bamberg.
He is one of the most important writers for children and young people in the German language, author of numerous children’s and young people’s books, radio stories, children’s theater plays and illustrator. Among his most popular and widely read works are the stories of Sams, an enigmatically cheeky mythical creature, the dreamer Lippel and the little kangaroo.
Paul Maar has been awarded many prestigious prizes, including the GERMAN YOUTH LITERATURE PRIZE, the AUSTRIAN STATE PRIZE, the BRÜDER_GRIMM_PRIZE, the GRAND PRIZE OF THE GERMAN ACADEMY FOR CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH LITERATURE and the SPECIAL AWARD OF THE GERMAN YOUTH LITERATURE PRIZE for his complete works.
Monika Reimers – Author (1938-2003)
Even during her time as a teacher in Dortmund, Monika Reimers saw the focus of her work in the combination of pedagogy and artistic activity, in which she saw a challenge for the young people growing up.
She successfully staged many theater performances at school, always combined with specially composed stage music.
She trained as a play director and led improvisational theater for children, young people and adults. She also played a pioneering role in the development of a school circus program, which led to cooperation with a professional circus.
Monika Reimers wrote the texts for 5 children’s concert pieces by Alf Hoffmann.