Although this year is not an anniversary festival, there is still every reason to celebrate: the Aue-Bad Schlema Miners’ Brass Band welcomes the 200th orchestra since the European Brass Band Festival was founded – the Zurich City Band.
Since 1846, this traditional wind orchestra has shaped the musical life of Switzerland’s largest city, and now its sounds will be heard for the first time in the wind music arena in Bad Schlema. The Swiss are delighted that the Zurich City Orchestra is the anniversary orchestra.
‘We are proud to be able to share our music with so many orchestras from all over Europe! We are delighted to be part of this traditional HAMMER Festival.’
Tanja Nussbaum, Stadtmusik Zürich
This year, the Musikverein’s programme committee has invited a total of nine new ensembles – more than ever before in the history of the festival. ‘The waiting list has grown very long over the years, and we want to give as many orchestras as possible the chance to experience the incomparable atmosphere of our festival,’ explains President Thomas Schaumberger.
The 32nd European Brass Band Festival will once again transform the spa town of Bad Schlema into a hub of encounters: 13 orchestras from nine countries will perform on two stages, where sounds and cultures will blend, friendships will be formed and Europe will become audible in the best sense of the word.
Since 1992, 204 orchestras from 33 countries have been guests. A lively festival that shows how music transcends borders and brings people together.