Spared with police music: appearances deleted and atmosphere at the low point!

Spared with police music: appearances deleted and atmosphere at the low point!

In the midst of strict budget cuts, the Interior Ministry plans radical cuts in the Austrian police music bands. A currently published document makes it clear that the nine nationwide chapels have to expect a drastic ban on perform abroad and a reduction in the basic hourly quota of 20 percent. This decision immediately comes into force and affects all planned appearances and rehearsals. "It is a clear savings measure that hits us massively" complained a musician of the chapels, such as vienna.at reported.

The new rules also restrict the possibility of rehearsing or performing between Friday evening and Monday morning as well as on public holidays. At church or funerals, only sporadic missions can take place that are paid on overtime. This means that even the police music festival planned for 2026, which has been held every two years so far. The English garden in Salzburg, a place for numerous concerts, is now also on the brink, such as orf.at noted.

The mood among the police musicians is tense. Many find the new guidelines as inevitable disadvantage, since the savings only make up a minimal amount compared to the administrative costs of the federal police. "These are peanuts," says a affected musician. During the savings program, which was initiated due to the outstanding federal budget for 2025, all ministries have to take restrictive measures. Daily rehearsals and concerts, which usually take place between Monday and Thursday, are now even more difficult to integrate into the calendars of the chapels, which further complicates the situation.