Perthshire Brass players celebrate anniversary of Bavarian city twinning with Perth
Perthshire Brass has completed 10 engagements during five days in and around the Bavarian city of Aschaffenburg to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its twinning with Perth.
It was a German tour achievement that conductor George Annan hailed as “the best nine days of our lives”.
After a hugely successful trip in 2023, the band took things to the next level this year, playing at three schools, several beer gardens and a phenomenal summer festival in nearby Groβostheim, where for the first time they performed as they marched through village streets.
The band was thrilled to be joined by Perth and District Pipe Band and Julie Young Dance Studios at performances in front of hundreds of spectators who were introduced to an even wider showing of Scottish culture.
The band is flying high off the back of record results at the British Championships in Cheltenham and Scottish Championships hosted in their back garden.
However, playing for enjoyment is central to the band’s ethos and going on tour has become a highlight for the musicians – including some members who are still at school – who travelled by bus and boat to Germany.
It was particularly special for the band to not only play the old favourites from their 90+ piece repertoire but to bring newly composed pieces to life, with covers of Beyonce’s Crazy in Love and Walk the Moon’s Shut Up and Dance helping to get audiences young and old onto their feet.
In years gone by, the band have toured in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Poland and even New Zealand and the Bahamas. However Aschaffenburg has become a home away from home – so much so that the next tour in 2028 has already been inked into the diary to celebrate 50 years of Perthshire Brass.
Music has helped the band forge lifelong friendships and George Annan was honoured to be presented with a Certificate of Honour from the Bürgermeister (Mayor) of Aschaffenburg, Markus Schlemmer.
Two weeks before the band departed for Germany, it welcomed friends from the Spessart Highlanders and Melomania Obernau to Perth Concert Hall for a twinning celebration concert. Reuniting with the bands, along with friends from Perth and Kinross Council including Provost Xander McDade, so soon afterwards was a treat and the band can’t wait to meet up again.
George Annan said: “The welcome, love and hospitality we received from the minute we got to Aschaffenburg to the minute we left was nothing short of exceptional.
“The band was outstanding in every way. For now thank you again to the people of Aschaffenburg for a wonderful life-affirming experience and I can’t wait to bring my beloved Perthshire Brass back to see you soon.”
