The ECoC and Me - Ambassadors

Pécsi Vasutas Concert Wind Band

The Pécsi Vasutas Concert Wind Band is a key player in the cultural life of Pécs. It celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation and continuous operation in 2005. Its members are no longer made up of railway employees only but also by secondary school students, university students and teachers living in the neighbourhood. Since December 2005 the orchestra has been the number one participant and the opening orchestra of the series of events called the Pécs Advent Weeks.

Main stages of the orchestra's success in short:

  • 1992. Bamberg (Germany) 1st place in its category among 173 orchestras
  • 1992. 1st Prize and Special Prize of the Siklós International Wind Band Festival
  • 1993. Riva del Garda (Italy) – international competition festival; the orchestra won all the prizes, including the special prize for the finest performance of the obligatory piece, the absolute 1st prize among all the orchestras competing in three categories and the prize for the best conductor.
  • 1994. Winner of the Golden Diploma certification in two categories at the competition organised by the Hungarian Wind Music Association, thereby achieving the title of International Festival Orchestra
  • 1996. Golden Diploma at the 2nd Balaton International Competition
  • 1997. Valencia (Spain) – International Wind Band Festival – 1st place
  • 1997. Schladming (Austria) – performing pieces by Hungarian composers at the world conference of WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles)
  • 1999. Valencia (Spain) – International Wind Band Festival – 1st place
  • 2000. Joint concert with the Wind Band of the University of Iowa, USA (in Pécs)
  • Performances at the series of events called "With culture at the gate to the West" from April 26, 2000 throughout the whole year
  • 2001. Kerkrada (The Netherlands) – World Music Festival, Special 1st Prize
  • 2001. Christmas Concert
    (Assembly Hall, University of Pécs – recorded by the Hungarian Radio)
  • 2002. The Day of Hungarian Culture: Winner of the Quality Prize awarded by the Pécs-Baranya Cultural Association
  • 2002. Charity Concert at the invitation of the Szolgáló és Szeretet Foundation
  • 2002. Hosting the National Railway Wind Band Festival in Pécs
  • 2003. The Day of Hungarian Culture: Csokonai Vitéz Mihály Community Prize
  • 2004. Genoa (Italy) –International Music Festival, featured invited guest
  • 2006. Hosting the 9th International and National Railway Wind Band Festival (Pécs)

The orchestra was awarded the title of "Excellent Ensemble" and the "Quality Prize of the Pécs-Baranya Cultural Association" on two occasions each. Every year the Hungarian Radio records several of their performances, broadcast by Bartók Radio.

The orchestra's conductor is trumpet player Károly Neumayer. President of the orchestra: Ferenc Bokor.

Further information: mavkoncertfuvosok.lapja.hu