Coronation Brass will be making its thirteenth visit to the German town of Bitburg as part of the European Folklore Festival next month.

Anniversary

This year's event holds a special significance for the unique scratch band, as it will be part of the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the town — with Coronation Brass hoping to make the trip from the 10th-13th July with a full complement of players.

Full band

Band Manager Nick Jones told 4BR: "We've had a couple of quiet years travelling here with a small ensemble, so when our German friends told us about the anniversary celebrations we were determined to pull out all the stops and get a full band on show."

He added: "It's often difficult getting a full band especially as the visit takes place in school term-time, but interest in this special trip has been incredibly high."

Nick revealed that the trip is likely to be the last for founder Tim Lord, although there are many making their first!

Looking forward

Musical Director Max Joseph added: "I'm really looking forward to welcoming friends old and new to Bitburg, and it will be great to lead a full band in the town again. We're always delighted by the huge crowds who come to hear us play and have made so many friendships over the years."

We're always delighted by the huge crowds who come to hear us play and have made so many friendships over the yearsMD, Max Joseph

Awash with colour

The European Folklore Festival has attracted people from all over the world to the brewery town for half a century or more. Over four days Bitburg is awash with colour as musicians and dancers display their talents in performance venues across the town.

There has been a British brass band at the festival since the early 1970s when Tim Lord formed English Festival Brass. After Tim decided to call it a day in 2002, Coronation Brass took up the mantle and have delighted audiences at the festival ever since.