Schwalmstadt mourns Karl Josef Freischem: A life for music!

Schwalmstadt mourns Karl Josef Freischem: A life for music!

It is with a heavy heart that the school community of the Carl Bantzer School in Schwalmstadt-Ziegenhain says goodbye to Karl Josef Freischem, who died on July 31, 2025 at the age of 79. The teacher, choir director, organist and carnival performer was known far beyond the school boundaries and will be remembered by many as a committed educator and musician. Last Friday, hundreds of people gathered in the Treysa town church to pay their last respects.

Born in 1946 in Meckenheim near Bonn, Karl Josef Freischem grew up in a musical family. When he was just nine years old, he received his first piano lessons from his uncle Josef. His musical journey took him to the Steyler Missionaries' boarding school, where he took organ lessons and discovered his passion for music. A memorable moment in his career was in 1963 when he accompanied a Sacred Heart devotion on the organ for the first time. These early years laid the foundation for his impressive career as a musician and teacher, which culminated in his involvement at the Carl Bantzer School.

A life for music and students

Freischem began teaching at the Carl Bantzer School in 1971 and remained in school until his retirement in 2011. He particularly thrived in the role of music teacher and choir director. He led a cross-year school choir with around 120 students and was known for his sensitive and motivating nature. The school community remembers him as someone who not only imparted knowledge, but also actively supported the personal development of his students. Kajo, as he was affectionately known, organized excursions, provided music for festivals and even got his students to compose songs together, such as the hymn “Neuenhaini”.

His commitment extended far beyond the school walls, as Freischem was active as an organist in many churches of both denominations, including in the communities of Sachsenhausen, Itzenhain, Lischeid and Heimbach, where his musical influence continued until 2024. He was also known as a speaker at the Trees Carnival, where he thrilled people with his linguistic subtleties and a special sense of rhythm.

A farewell with a personal touch

The funeral service in honor of Karl Josef Freischem was organized by Pastor Michael Brüne, who pointed out that they should forego mourning clothing - a sign of how much Kajo celebrated the joy of life. All songs in the celebration come from his own selection and once again underline how deeply rooted music was in his life.

At a time when thinking about musical education and its social significance is characterized by many multifaceted discussions, Freischem's legacy remains a defining example of the power of music. The debates about the content of music lessons and the question of the cultural canon in education are far-reaching and show how valuable committed personalities like Freischem are for the development of young people and entire communities. Like HNA and nh24 report, its influence on the school community and beyond will continue to be felt.

The discussions about music lessons and cultural participation are lively and not always easy. Nevertheless, the life of Karl Josef Freischem shows how important it is to integrate cultural practices into education and to give young people the opportunity to actively participate in culture. Because in the end, it's the great memories and the musical impressions that live on in people's hearts, and that makes all of our lives a little richer.