A Musical Celebration of 70 Years of Twinning
Perthshire Brass travelled to Aschaffenburg alongside Perth & District Pipe Band and Julie Young Dancers for a week of music to celebrate 70 years of twinning.
Nearly 50 people took a coach from Perth, all the way to Aschaffenburg for a week of beautiful sunshine, music making, and continued friendship with the locals of our twin city. The landmark tour marked Perth's 70 years of twinning with Aschaffenburg, with local groups Perth & District Pipe Band and Julie Young Dancers also joining the band.
The trip saw the band play 10 engagements over five days, but not before a wonderful welcome on the first night by Friends of Perth and Spessart Highlanders. Concert venues over the week included Friedrich-Dessauer-Gymnasium, a local university and a return visit to Brentano School. The band also travelled to Großostheim to take part in the parade for the Bachgaufest festival and performed at local attractions including Schöntal Park, Schlossplatz and Cissi's Biergarten, as well as giving a memorable evening concert at Schönbusch Park.
The tour culminated with a very special official celebration in Aschaffenburg's Theaterplatz to mark the twinning milestone. The event featured local groups Melomania Obernau, Musikverein Gailbach, Spessart Highlanders as well as Perth & District Pipe Band, Julie Young Dancers and Perthshire Brass from Perth. The official ceremony saw Perth Provost Xander McDade receive Aschaffenburg's Citizen Medal on behalf of the people of Perth, presented by Aschaffenburg Mayor Markus Schlemmer. Mayor Schlemmer also recognised the band's musical director, George Annan, presenting him with a Certificate of Honour for his ongoing and tireless work to maintain and deepen the friendship between the people of Perth and Aschaffenburg.
Plans are already afoot for the band to return to Aschaffenburg in 2028 to celebrate the band's 50th birthday and we would once again like to express our thanks to the numerous people and organisations that made this tour possible, not least our sponsors The Gannochy Trust, Thomson Charitable Trust, Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, Perth & Kinross Council, Rotary Club of Perth and The Guildry Incorporation of Perth, plus our concert partners and local supporters.
Finally, please enjoy this video of our tour highlights made by our principal percussionist Iona Crosby.