"I truly explored the full spectrum of the Ecole experience." – A conversation with Addrich Mauch (student from 1996 to 2002)
How did you experience your time at the Ecole?
Haha, not an easy question – intense, for sure. I came to the Ecole when I was 14 years old, a time when the whole world feels wildly dramatic and beautiful at once. I don’t know how much of that teenage rollercoaster was thanks to (or caused by) the Ecole, but it definitely provided a truly stunning backdrop. For a long time, I saw myself as more of an outsider, and I felt that way at the Ecole too. But looking back now, my time there was shaped above all by friendships.
I experienced it as deeply encouraging – encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone and to stand up for who I am, whoever that might be. To find myself – which is no easy task. I felt motivated to try everything: from folk dancing to inline skating (which was still cool back then), from pottery, painting, making music to programming video games (or pretending to). It didn’t matter whether something seemed “cool” or not. And it was also a place that invited you to question everything and think critically – even when it came to the core principles of how we live together.
I really explored the full spectrum of the Ecole experience. I lived in four or five different family groups, was part of countless Friday groups, served on the Schulgemeinde and Polygon leadership, and also took part in a few secret night stroll.
I remember endless Sunday afternoons spent sitting on the “Elephant Steps,” having deep conversations and trying to figure out the world (haha), usually after we had already used up all our airtime on the family radio. And the gong – which we stole and hid at least twice.
Which path did you take after the Ecole?
Maybe the better question is: which paths? The Ecole’s motto “Become who you are” was present in nearly every context – and we were given the space to try everything. I took that quite literally, and never really tried to just be who I am.
Back then, architecture was romanticized in my circles as the most intellectually demanding form of self-realization, so I initially enrolled in that field at ETH Zurich. But then things took a different turn.
I studied philosophy for a year – because, well, that’s life, and the ultimate “become who you are,” right? But it soon felt too ivory-tower-ish for me, and I took the motto even further by turning to craftwork and starting an apprenticeship as a boatbuilder. Before completing it, though, I realized I was more of an academic after all, and began studying musicology at the University of Bern.
In the midst of all this self-searching, music was always a constant. I played in six more or less successful bands, so it made sense to finally explore the topic from a critical and scholarly perspective as well.
Today I hold a PhD in musicology (my dissertation focused on video game music and sound), and I work on a research project exploring gaming culture in Switzerland between 1970 and 2000. I’ve always been drawn to topics that are socially ambivalent. With my band Annika Strand, we just finished recording our second album, House by the Sea, and hope to release it later this year – it’s already in the bag.
I’ve stayed in Bern ever since (after living in Aargau, Fribourg, Nidwalden, and Lucerne post-Ecole). I now live with my family right on the Aare river, and I enjoy jumping into the water whenever I can on hot days.
How did your professional path develop over time?
For a long time, I was caught in the process of becoming – trying out many different things. But I always stayed true to myself and chose paths that I felt intrinsically motivated to follow. In the end, it paid off, even if I’d consider myself a late bloomer career-wise. I believe the Ecole encouraged me to take the time and space to truly figure out who I am – and not settle for a compromise before I got there, even if the road was long.
What makes the Ecole special to you?
First and foremost: the people. The community, with all its different layers of relationships and opportunities for shared decision-making, and the broad spectrum of experiences you can dive into. And of course, the school system itself and all those unique teachers I got to know on eye level – with their strengths, quirks, and oddities. At the Ecole, students are taken seriously as whole human beings. Grassroots democracy isn’t just a nice-sounding concept – it’s something that’s truly lived (or at least was, in my time).
Then there are the traditions and rituals: folk dancing evenings, hikes, family nights, vespers, morning exercise – even cleaning time, the silent minute before meals, and of course the gong. Most people would probably also mention the Singgemeinde, but honestly, I never really warmed to it – strange, I know.
What advice would you give to current students?
Try everything – not just what you're already drawn to, but also what might not seem fun or meaningful at first glance.
“Become who you are” is an ongoing process – not just for students and staff, but also for the school itself, which grows and evolves with you. Give yourself to the Ecole, try to understand and experience even those principles that might feel strange or uncomfortable at first – and question everything at the same time.
In my view, it’s this ever-changing community of students, staff, and helpers that defines the Ecole – not some frozen set of ideals from a past that’s no longer alive.
The most beautiful thing about the motto “Become who you are” is that it speaks to every moment in this never-ending process. So enjoy the now – sitting in the sun on the Elephant Steps, by the lake, or wherever you happen to be. That Alpine panorama and the crisp mountain air… most of us will miss it in everyday life and remember those little moments and sensory impressions (yes, even shoveling snow before breakfast 😉).
★彡[ GAMER'S DONATION ZONE ]彡★
🎮 Got old game consoles or computers you no longer use? Addrich is happy to receive free donations – more info here:
👉 https://dhbern.github.io/content/services/gamelab/
