On November 16, 1993, several amateur musicians got together and immediately gave themselves a name: "Freunde der Zupfmusik Heimbach 1993". They were inspired by the enthusiasm of conductor Fred Schiffers, but he wasn't just a conductor. He owned a lot of mandolins, mandolas and guitars that he had repaired or built himself: he was happy to lend the instruments to fellow players so that everyone had the opportunity to make music. Anyone who couldn't play was taken under his wing and trained free of charge.
It wasn't long before 25 plucked string musicians were regularly attending rehearsals in the "Haus des Gastes" and - after the room was changed - in the Schiffmann restaurant: soon 1st and 2nd mandolins, mandolas, guitars, cellos, double basses, drum basses, zithers and keyboards were playing here.

After Fred Schiffer stepped down as conductor in 2002, Dagmar Ledig led the Zupfmusikfreunde to new challenges. She ventured into more difficult arrangements in the "Hotel zur Talsperre" and later in the rehearsal room right next to the Heimbach church, giving the orchestra a new sound. Under her direction, the Zupfmusikfreunde also experienced an unforgettable concert in the Mariawald monastery church. Before big performances, she fought stage fright in her own way: "What can happen to us?" she asked. "The main thing is that we are together."
After she decided to lay down the conductor's baton in the fall of 2007 and support the association as an orchestra member, professional musician Heinz Küppers has been responsible for the good sound of the association since spring 2008. He successfully made his debut at the 2008 spa concert.
The following founding members are still active today: Leni Krug (1st mandolin), Christel Kröll (2nd mandolin), Margret Bidaoui, Brigitte Gfeller, Ulrike Schwieren-Höger and Angelika Siodmok (guitar), Helga Wergen (concert zither) and Dagmar Ledig (2nd mandolin).