The countdown is on: Prepared for the German Music Festival
Two days before the start of the 5th German Music Festival, Chemnitz is well prepared for the major event. This was confirmed by Mayor Barbara Ludwig and Michael Weber, 1st Vice President of the Federal Association of German Music Associations (BDMV). Mayor Barbara Ludwig: "We want to be good hosts so that visitors go home with a good feeling after the music festival and take a piece of Chemnitz with them in their hearts."
The city and the BDMV cordially invite everyone to experience this special music festival, which only takes place in Germany every six years. "We are looking forward to a wonderful festival in Chemnitz," says BDMV Vice President Michael Weber. "The anticipation is already palpable in many places."
The city and the organiser of the German Music Festival, the BDMV, have worked together to prepare for the four days of the festival. 15,000 participants have found accommodation, including in around 50 schools and gymnasiums. The orchestras will arrive one by one from Wednesday.
More than just brass band music
More than 300 associations from all over Germany and twelve international music groups are on the programme. They will perform over 300 concerts and 200 competitions. Large stages will be set up on the Markt, Neumarkt and Brückenstraße. These are currently being set up. Stadthallenpark, Düsseldorfer Platz and Jakobikirchplatz will also become musical meeting places. A music trade fair will be held at the Chemnitz Exhibition Centre.
Young, professional and amateur orchestras will be playing on the stages throughout the day. Discussions will take place in specialist forums. Children's programmes in Küchwald and Kraftwerk will also attract younger visitors. Various bands will provide entertainment in the evenings, including the brass band on Thursday at 10 pm and the Bundeswehr big band on Saturday at 10 pm on Johannisplatz.
Part of the programme is provided by Chemnitz institutions, clubs and cultural workers. Twelve Chemnitz bands will be on stage, and choirs, clubs and institutions from Chemnitz will also be involved. On Friday at 10 pm, the Chemnitz Sound Night will immerse the Neumarkt in a beguiling mixture of song, video projection and music.
Chemnitz has also invited numerous musicians from the twin cities. 138 musicians have confirmed their attendance. They will be performing on stages, in shopping centres and in the SenVital. The joint concert of the twin towns will take place on Saturday at 2.30 pm on the market square.
The highlight on Sunday will be a joint concert at 2 pm with a large parade from Theaterplatz to the city centre. The day will end with the closing concert at 6 pm on Brückenstraße.
For information on Chemnitz's contribution and the performance of the twin cities, please refer to PM 219 of 30 April and PM 230 of 3 May. The detailed festival programme is also published in a programme booklet.
Travel advice
A transport concept has been developed to ensure that everyone can easily reach the musical highlights. There are over 10.000 free parking spaces are available in four large shopping centres in the city: Chemnitz-Center (Leipziger Straße, bus line 21), Neefepark (Neefestraße, shuttle service to tram line 1), Alt-Chemnitz-Center (Annaberger Straße, tram lines 6/522), Sachsen-Allee (Dresdner Straße, bus line 51). These are very well connected to the event venues by public transport and a favourable fare. (see PM 206 from 23 April).
More details about the programme and information about the 5th German Music Festival can be found at www.chemnitz.de and www.deutsches-musikfest.de.