PRESS RELEASE, SEPTEMBER 2008
Norwegian concert band Klepp Hornmusikk (literally "Klepp Horn Band") is ready to head off from one cultural capital to another. Like Liverpool, Stavanger in Norway is acknowledged as a European Capital of Culture in 2008, and the band's hometown of Klepp is situated just 25 km south of Stavanger.
Initially started as a high school marching band in 1957, Klepp Hornmusikk celebrated its 50 years anniversary last year. With more than 60 musicians aged 15 to 70 years, the band is one of the biggest amateur concert bands in the Stavanger area, giving several concerts and performances every year.
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| Klepp Hornmusikk |
The most important performance and highlight of the year is definitely the New Year's Concert in Klepp Town Hall, which has been sold out every year since it was first played in 1994. Boosted by professional guest solists, Klepp Hornmusikk has managed making this concert series into one of the definitive highlights on the local cultural scene. This has given the band a good reputation, and it has also received a few cultural awards for the very same reason.
The band has a tradition of touring abroad on a semi-annual basis, and the last few years they have toured different parts of Europe, like Copenhagen, Denmark (2002), Scotland (2004) and Berlin, Germany (2006). This year, the members of the band are looking forward to a great weekend in Liverpool, starting Thursday September 11th, and ending at Monday 15th.
In Liverpool, Klepp Hornmusikk has the honour of giving a free lunchtime concert at Williamson Square, Friday 12th from 1pm to 3pm. The second concert of the weekend will also be an informal freebie, when the band plays at Baltic Fleet Pub Sunday afternoon.
For its Liverpool tour, Klepp Hornmusikk has picked a number of pieces, mostly by Norwegian composers. The band's repertoir is widely diversed, with music ranging from classical pieces to military band style marches and modern jazz. In other words, there should be something for everyone to enjoy.
The tour is also a social event for the band members,
and a lot of time will also be spent in and around Liverpool exploring the city's attractions. There are 35 participants on the tour.
- We are very happy to visit Liverpool, especially this year when the city is a European Capital of Culture. As close neigbours to the other cultural capital Stavanger, it is very interesting to see how "the other" city is doing, says Hallstein Otnes, chairman of the band.
Arild Mjaaland is the conductor of the band, and he is a well-known capacity on the musical scene in the Stavanger area. Much used both as a conductor, composer and arranger, he has received several awards. He has been with Klepp Hornmusikk since 1999.
For more information and details, please contact:
Hallstein Otnes, chairman
c/o Premier Inn Liverpool City Centre
Vernon Street
Liverpool
L2 2AY
Phone: (+47) 934 97 710
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