*
banner

30-year-old Turmblasen tradition kept alive by new means

A wonderful tradition was heard in a different way in Germany thanks to the efforts of Blasmusikverein Carl Zeiss Jena e.V.

Blechklang
  The players recorded the music from home to maintain the tradition

Performing under the motto 'Corona can't stop the Music!' Brass Band BlechKLANG, Jugend Brass Band BlechKLANG and Show Brass Band VielKLANG in Germany who perform under the umbrella of the brass band association Blasmusikverein Carl Zeiss Jena e.V., have found a way to keep a 30 year tradition alive in the run-up to Christmas.

Tower

'Turmblasen' sees players perform carols from the town hall tower of Jena — a tradition linked to the town's famous Christmas market for more than 30 years.

Due to the Corona pandemic, it could be undertaken this year in its usual format, but under MD Alexander Richter, a digital version was conceived in which the musicians recorded the music from their homes.

The digital 'Turmblasen' was premiered on Brass Band BlechKLANG's Facebook page and YouTube channel this week and also enabled the band to reach out to potential financial donors4BR

New choice

He told 4BR: "There was great disappointment that 'Turmblasen' couldn't take place this year, but we didn't want to resign ourselves to the fact that there would be no carolling at all. That's why we chose to do it this way — and we were delighted by the response from the musicians."

The digital 'Turmblasen' was premiered on Brass Band BlechKLANG's Facebook page and YouTube channel this week and also enabled the band to reach out to potential financial donors.

Alexander added: "In addition to the cultural loss due to the cancelled carolling, financial losses have unfortunately also occurred.

The brass band association Blasmusikverein Carl Zeiss Jena e.V., which has already been struggling with the effects of Corona since the summer, urgently needs financial help to enable brass banding to survive and prosper in this part of Germany."

Enjoy:

Feel free to use the YouTube video as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ImWQ6s48_0

A crowdfunding page has been set up at: https://www.startnext.com/en/rettet-das-jenaer-turmblasen

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Grand Shield

May 3 • Milnrow claims the Grand Shield honours to return to the British Open with Hepworth joining them.


British Open

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Cup

May 2 • Kirkintilloch claims the Senior Cup honours as Rainford, Tongwynlais Temperance and East London Brass join them in the Grand Shield in 2027.


2026 Spring Festival

Result: 2026 Spring Festival — Senior Trophy

May 2 • Sandhurst Silver claims the Senior Trophy honours as Sovereign Brass, Unite Scotland Kinneil and Yorkshire Imperial are also promoted to the Senior Cup.


Fleetwood

Fleetwood back on demand

May 1 • You can enjoy all 32 performances from the recent Fleetwood Contest on demand


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Sunday 3 May • St Alfege Church. Greenwich Church Street SE10 9BJ


Regent Hall Concerts - FiveBy5 Trumpet Quintet

Tuesday 5 May • Charlton House and Gardens. Charlton Road, . London. . SE7 8RE


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 8 May • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Wardle Anderson Brass Band - Wardle Junior Blast

Friday 8 May • Milnrow Parish Church, 16 Westward Ho, Milnrow, Rochdale OL16 3JX


Regent Brass - Woodbridge Excelsior Band and Russell Gray

Saturday 9 May • The Salvation Army (Regent Hall), Oxford Street, London W1C 2DJ


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires an Eb bass player for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher. . We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

May 3 • The band requires a Cornet player (Position negotiable) for our First section band conducted by Jack Fisher.. We have a varied and expanding programme of events throughout the year, including our very well attended, themed concerts.


Wellington Silver Band (Somerset)

May 2 • Bb Basses. With Colin Dance now appointed as our MD and our other Bb Bass leaving due to work commitments, we have openings for two Bb basses. We are a friendly community (4th section?) band with a variety of gigs including our own Proms in the Park.


Alwyn Green

LRAM, LTCL
Conductor, composer, arranger, adjudicator, teacher and soloist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd