The next Brass Festival is not a “Unity Brass Festival,” but is a wonderful opportunity to play with Moravians in Germany and the European Continent
June 6 – 10, 2025
Bläsertag Königsfeld
The brass festival will be in Königsfeld im Schwarzwald (Black Forest), Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland (Germany)
June 6 – 10, 2025
We have the dates for the 40th Brüderischer Bläsertag (Moravian brass festival) to be held in Königsfeld im Schwarzwald. No other information is available yet at this link. Check back for updates, here, and we will continue to post information in English.
The 4th International Brass Festival of the Worldwide Moravian Unity
4th Unity Brass Festival
September 21 – 24, 2023
Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The festival will take place at Mentorskraal in Jeffrey’s Bay from 21 to 24 September 2023. Jeffrey’s Bay is situated 80km from Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.
The theme of the festival will be
“SING HALLELUJAH PRAISE the LORD”.
There are various packages of accommodation available at Mentorskraal. Meals are catered for three times a day.
July 19 – 22, 2018
The 3rd Moravian Unity Brass Festival is an international brass festival of the worldwide Moravian Unity; four days of music and fellowship, practice and performance, learning and sharing.
The Festival has passed, but you may enjoy the Massed Brass Ensemble service of music at this link:
WATCH and LISTEN NOW
Four days (a long weekend) of music and fellowship for brass instrument players of all ages and levels. Be a part of an enormous brass ensemble, made up of Moravians from around the world; an experience you will never forget. All in praise and adoration of the One who calls us to be his own.
Welcoming all ages and all levels, the Festival provides opportunities to improve musicality, skills, and ensemble. The Festival builds for the future by teaching, leading and encouraging brass musicians, arrangers and composers.
Performances and worship will take place at locations and churches all over the city. The Massed Brass
will perform a Unity Concert at Wait Chapel, on the campus of Wake Forest University, 4:00pm on Sunday. www.wfu.edu
auf Deutsch:
Vier Tage voller Musik und Beisammensein für Bläser von verschiedenen Fähigkeiten und Altersstufen. Bläser aus der ganzen brüderische Welt sind zu einen verlängerten Wochenende in den Vereinigen Staaten eingeladen, um dort Gottesdienste, Konzerte, Workshops, Freizeiten, usw. zu erleben. Es wird ein einmaliges Erlebnis sein unseren Herrn zusammen zu preisen.
Konzerte und Gottesdienste werden an verschiedenen Stellen in Winston-Salem stattfinden. Das Schlusskonzert wird am Sonntag, Juli 22, in der grossen Kapelle von Wake Forest Universität stattfinden.
Mehr Information darüber finden Sie hier.
OVERVIEW
Only twice before, has an international festival been organized by the Moravian Church to convene brass musicians to play and learn in Christian fellowship and share brass music with others for the glory of God (S. Africa, 2007; Germany, 2013).
The 3rd Moravian Unity Brass Festival will attract hundreds of brass instrumentalists to Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. Hundreds more will attend and enjoy the free performances of mostly new arrangements for brass and favorites from the various brass traditions. We hope you will join us.
Its main purpose being fellowship, the Festival is an event that, through music, connects the Worldwide Unity (Unitas Fratrum) in musical collaboration, builds friendships and community, and celebrates oneness in Christ. It is full of fun, fellowship, and music.
The Festival is for everyone, serving musicians of all ages and all levels, from beginner to director (Moravians and non-Moravians), providing opportunities to play, learn, and share brass music.
Advance registration is required; forms will be posted on the website, and online registration instructions will be available there. REGISTRATION LINK
Please also follow us on Facebook = “Moravian Unity Brass Festival” for the latest developments.
MISSION STATEMENT
The 3rd Moravian Unity Brass Festival convenes brass musicians to play and learn
in Christian fellowship and share brass music with others for the Glory of God.
The 3rd Moravian Unity Brass Festival is a unique opportunity to experience the historical Wachovia settlement in North Carolina, USA and celebrate the worldwide Moravian brass tradition.
A MORAVIAN SETTLEMENT DATING TO 1753
Winston-Salem began as a Moravian settlement in 1753 and includes the beautiful and historic villages of Salem, Bethabara, Bethania
The format will be a long weekend, arriving Thursday, with optional Wednesday activities, tours, and events, specially designed for out of town visitors. Another option is to stay for Monday, although many tour destinations are closed on Monday.
VISION
The 3rd Moravian Unity Brass Festival will strengthen interpersonal bonds within the Worldwide Moravian Unity;
will draw the participants closer in Christian community;
will affirm the work and gifts of players, leaders and organizers;
will nurture the musical growth of individuals of all levels, and the musical development of ensembles;
will improve and increase the repertoire for worshipful brass music and prove its continuing relevance throughout the Worldwide Moravian Church.
HISTORY
The first Unity Brass Festival was held in 2007 in South Africa and coincided with the 550th anniversary (1457-2007) of the Unity.
The 2nd Moravian Unity Brass Festival was held May 17-21 in the Moravian community of in Bad Boll, Germany, in May 2013. Three groups from BBSA, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, and Mamre Brass Band participated in this festival and toured Germany in May 2013. This festival, known as “Bläsertag 2013 (Brass Day)” was the second Unity-wide gathering of brass players. About 350 brass players attended the long weekend (Friday-Tuesday) festival, representing five countries: Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, South Africa and the United States. The local and regional brass festivals in Germany are often planned over the Pentecost (Pfingsten) long weekend, with special services on Sunday and Monday. This national holiday makes it easier for many to attend, although many shops and museums may be closed.
Read more about the Bad Boll Unity Brass Festival here:
An article from 2005 about the founding of the Unity Brass Festival, Brs. Frank, Hitzeroth, Van den Bosch, and Sr. Nola – by Christo Appel https://www.moravianbrass.co.za/index.php?page_name=more&menu_id=4&submenu_id=11
3rd Unity Brass Festival
A general public audience is invited to the massed brass performance on Sunday afternoon. Free; donations appreciated.
Registration is required to participate as a player – registration includes all events, rehearsals, and workshops of the Festival.
The Festival is an opportunity to share music and fellowship with other Moravian brass musicians, in the historic city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. While designed for both amateur and professional musicians in the Moravian Church, the Festival is open to all, regardless of age, gender, place of residence, denominational affiliation, or level of musical training!
Bitte die Brüder-Unität Bläsertreffen in North Carolina teilnehmen! Bestimmt am 19 – 22 Juli 2018 ! Durch die Amerikanische Moravian Music Foundation gefördert.
Goals of the Festival:
- Musicians will experience Christian fellowship, renew old friendships, and meet Moravians from around the world.
- Musicians will learn about Moravian music and Moravian history, while experiencing North American Moravian culture.
- Musicians will play a variety of worshipful brass music, including new arrangements, new compositions, and some challenges, under the direction of a variety of Moravian band leaders (some of the composers and arrangers, themselves!).
CALL FOR ARRANGEMENTS
Click for information about submitting music to be considered for performance at the Festival in July, 2018.
