Music, rhythm, and color during the 9th Brass Band Festival

Music, rhythm, and color during the 9th Brass Band Festival

An inseparable element of the Żagle event is not only the sailing ships and waterfront attractions, but also the music that resonates throughout the weekend in various parts of the city. During this year’s edition of the event, the 9th Brass Band Festival for the Cup of the Mayor of Szczecin will take place – a unique spectacle combining music, dance, colorful costumes, and spectacular shows.

The Brass Band Festival has permanently become part of the Żagle program. It is an event that attracts both music lovers and people who want to see unusual street parades and spectacular parade drill shows. During the festival, the orchestras will present their skills during marches, concerts, and competition performances.

This year, eight ensembles from Poland, Denmark, and Hungary will take part in the festival. Each orchestra will present its own repertoire, characteristic sound, and unique style, creating an exceptional musical spectacle.

Among the participants of this year’s edition will be:

• Kramsk Brass Band – a formation with over a century of tradition, which has been delighting audiences for years with spectacular performances featuring majorettes, combining music, marching, and impressive choreography.
• Youth Brass Band of the School Complex in Suchowola – one of the musical symbols of Suchowola, gracing the most important events in the region for over 65 years, known for performances with majorettes and parade drill shows.
• Głuchów Commune Brass Band – actively promotes brass music among residents, and during Żagle 2026 will present its energy and passion alongside bands from Poland and abroad.
• Varde Garden from Denmark – one of the oldest municipal youth bands in Denmark, famous for its spectacular marches, drill shows, and tattoo-style performances.
• Bekton Concert Band from Hungary – an orchestra with an almost 60-year history, performing throughout Europe and beyond. Its repertoire combines classic brass band pieces with film scores and contemporary arrangements.
• Girls’ Brass Band of the City of Rzeszów “FANFARA” – a unique formation created exclusively by girls, which for years has delighted audiences with a repertoire ranging from film to popular music, as well as parade drill shows.
• Municipal Youth Brass Band in Zambrów – a multi-award-winning orchestra which, together with majorettes, forms a band of over 80 people and has numerous successes at national and international festivals to its credit.
• Dobrynin Brass Band – a formation celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, known for spectacular parade drill shows and a rich track record gained during festivals in Poland and abroad.

Program of the 9th Brass Band Festival

Saturday, August 15

• 11:00 AM – Orchestra march Route: Columbus Restaurant – Adam Mickiewicz Monument
• 12:00 PM – Official opening of the festival (joint performance) Location: Adam Mickiewicz Monument
• 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Evaluated march Route: Adam Mickiewicz Monument – Columbus Restaurant (In the afternoon, the orchestras will move to the right bank of the Oder River)
• 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Orchestra march (joint performance) Route: WOŚP Square in Łasztownia – Maritime Science Center

Sunday, August 16

• 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM – Parade drill shows and stage concerts Location: Chrobry Embankment Stage (Scena Wały Chrobrego) / square in front of the stage
• 3:30 PM – 4:00 PM – Joint performance by all orchestras Location: square in front of the stage (Wały Chrobrego)
• 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM – Closing of the festival and announcement of results Location: Chrobry Embankment Stage (Scena Wały Chrobrego)