The Assembly of Delegates of the Deutscher Harmonika-Verband e. V. (DHV – German Harmonica Association) including 40 delegates from the state and district associations as well as the German Harmonica Association (DHV) Presidium met last Saturday in Trossingen, Germany for the delegates’ meeting.
The focus was on the regular elections: After twelve years at the helm, President Jochen Haußmann MdL did not run again. The delegates elected Niko Reith MdL as his successor.
The meeting was characterized by an open exchange, intensive work on topics and important decisions for the coming years. At the beginning, Rachel Büche, acting director of the Federal Academy for Musical Youth Education, Lorenz Overbeck, Managing Director of the Federal Music Association Choir & Orchestra, and Eric Dann, Managing Director of the Hohner Conservatory Trossingen, addressed the participants and each presented the work of their institutions.
The farewell of President Jochen Haußmann MdL was given special weight. The Presidium paid special tribute to his work. With his cooperative and friendly manner, he had shaped the association in a modern way, restructured the presidium and aligned the structures for the future.
As a visible sign of gratitude and appreciation, he was appointed honorary president. In addition, the association awarded him the Medal of Honour in Gold with Brilliant, the highest award that the DHV can award. This was in recognition of his foresight, his tireless commitment and his role model function for harmonica music. Jochen Haußmann thanked them for the award and the time together: “It was a great and eventful time at the DHV. I have enjoyed working with the responsible and committed people of the association enormously. The diverse commitment to harmonica music in our association is impressive, for which I was and am very grateful.”
Treasurer Heike Staufenberger ended her work after 24 years, during which she made a decisive contribution to the stability of the association with great care, a sense of responsibility and tireless commitment.
Also bidding farewell were Federal Youth Leader Susanne App, Presidium Member Dietmar Fink and Johannes Baumann, who worked for many years as spokesman for the state conductors. Baumann had already been honoured the evening before at the presidium meeting with the Rudolf Würthner Medal, the highest musical award of the DHV. His decades of commitment as a state conductor, juror, lecturer and member of the Music Advisory Board were honored with great thanks.
The delegates elected Niko Reith MdL as the new president. The 56-year-old is a member of the 17th state parliament of Baden-Württemberg for the Tuttlingen-Donaueschingen constituency and brings extensive political and municipal experience. In addition to his parliamentary work, he is, among other things, deputy mayor in Donaueschingen. Professionally, Reith has been working as an independent insurance broker for many years.
He is also involved in a variety of voluntary activities, for example as a member of the board of trustees of the Donaueschingen Community Foundation, as a member of the Lions Club or as an ambassador for a children’s hospice. His close connection to music is demonstrated not least by his participation in the board of trustees of the Federal Academy for Musical Youth Education in Trossingen and his membership in the Musikfreunde Donaueschingen, which organises the internationally renowned Donaueschingen Music Days together with the SWR. In his speech after the election, Reith said: “I am very pleased about the trust of the delegates and the election as President of the DHV. Volunteering and making music together are matters close to my heart. Together with the Presidium and all members, I would like to shape the future and positively influence the framework conditions for our clubs and orchestras.”
In addition to Niko Reith, Melanie Karl was elected as the new treasurer, Philipp Höning as national youth leader and Carla Scheithe as a member of the presidium. Erwin Schuster as spokesperson for the state conductors and Uta Borho as spokesperson for the district conductors were also new to the committee. All other Presidium members were confirmed in their offices. This means that the new presidium is broadly positioned and ready for the coming years.
The reports from the presidium and office offered an insight into the multifaceted work of the DHV. The Accordion Music Prize 2024 and the World Music Festival 2025 in Innsbruck, both of which were very successful, were particularly highlighted. The current educational program and the work of the Future Working Groups were also presented as a continuation of the DHV Congress 2023. In addition, the association protection concept with accompanying handout for clubs, which is currently being developed, was discussed.
With the digital realignment of the association’s magazine “Harmonika International”, which has been integrated into a joint editorial network of several amateur music associations since the beginning of the year, the association is also strengthening the media presence of its topics. In addition, the DHV is active in numerous committees of its umbrella organisations and brings in the interests of harmonica music there.
The dementia simulator from the BMCO project “Fit for Longer through Music!”, which could be tested during the meeting, offered an impressive experience. At 13 stations, the participants experienced the daily routine of an elderly lady with dementia. In addition to irritation and frustration, the focus was on a growing understanding of those affected. Jochen Haußmann was also impressed, as he himself had accompanied a relative with dementia for several years. He emphasized how important patience and respect are in dealing with people with dementia, also in the context of association and orchestra work: “Ultimately, it’s not always about musical performance, but about the enriching moments that music can give.”
Looking to the future, the coming year for the DHV will be dominated by the accordion, which will be honored nationwide as “Instrument of the Year” in 2026. A highlight will be the BundesJugendAkkordeonFestival in Berlin, which will take place from 14th to 17th May 2026 over Ascension Day. Clubs can register their interest now.
The next Assembly of Delegates will take place on 25th September, 2027 in Trossingen.
Download the report in German language with pictures here:
DHVAssembleyDelegatesReport2025
Report submitted by Johannes Wollasch-Demandt.
