2007
Please note that not every group receives direct cash aid from the Association.
Groups visiting Hochsauerland: April 2007 - A delegation from Broxburn Silver Band invited to Gleidorf to attend their biannual music express concert. (the whole band performed at the last one).
July 2007 - 20 young musicians from West Lothian to play joint concerts with Meschede Wind Band, then the combined group travelling to HSK's twinned area in Poland (Olesno) for a 3-day music festival.
August 2007 - Balbardie Indoor Bowling Club will attend the Neheim-Huesten Festival.
September 2007 - the committee of the Gleidorf Music Festival are seeking folk musicians and pipers from West Lothian.
Groups visiting West Lothian: March 2007 - the head of the HSK music school is bringing a small delegation to discuss forthcoming music projects.
May 2007 - 40 young musicians aged 11-15 coming to link up with West Lothian string ensemble and have a joint music and social programme.
July 2007 - 20 German teenagers to participate in the International Youth Exchange, a 10-day joint residential programme involving 10 young people from West Lothian.
August 2007 - youth bands from HSK and their twinned area in Poland (Olesno) staying in West Lothian for a 10-day concert and social programme.
September 2007 - THE BIG ONE ! The Hochsauerland Orchestra, some 70 young musicians from the HSK music school and a similar number from West Lothian for joint concerts.
2006
Please note that not every group receives direct cash aid from the Association.
Groups visiting Hochsauerland: January 2006 - Clare Lynas, aged 19, played the pipes at a concert in Meschede, the administrative centre of HSK.
February 2006 - Balbardie Bowling Club visited Neheim and Winterberg. This organisation has been to HSK a few times now and many, lasting friendships have been established. [see Reports]
June 2006 - an official twinning delegation from the Council visited HSK. July 2006 - Thirteen Scottish teenagers visited Germany as guests of the HSK Department of Youth. [see Reports]
August 2006 October 2006 - Newlands Brass Band visited HSK and their twinned music group "Fanfarenkorps Neheim" who celebrate their Golden Jubilee this year. Groups visiting West Lothian: March 2006 - A 19 year old Cellist from HSK spent two weeks in West Lothian schools assisting with the schools' String Programme. June 2006 - Three members of the HSK Sports Association will visit West Lothian to explore sports development and future projects.
November 2006 - two groups of young musicians, some 15 brass players and 15 string players from HSK have been invited to participate in the Brian Duguid Memorial Concert in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on Sunday 5th November.
The late Brian's contribution to music in the County and to international exchanges is undeniable.
2004/5
Please note that not every group receives direct cash aid from the Association.
Groups visiting Hochsauerland: October 2004 - Members and friends of West Lothian Twinning Association took part in a private visit to Hochsauerland.
October / November 2004 - 60 members of the West Lothian Schools Brass Band were again invited to participate in the annual Herbst Brass Festival being promoted by the music school in Hochsauerland.
Two members of the Twinning Association accepted an invitation to attend.
[Please note that, contrary to press reports, the Twinning Association did NOT contribute to the COSTS of this visit!]
- Junior String exchange. Some 35 young musicians from West Lothian travelled to HSK as guests of the Hochsauerland Music School.
- WL Swimming Development Group. Some 25 young swimmers took part in a swimming competition in HSK. This initiative follows a Sports Study visit by the HSK Chief Executive, Herr Stork, last year.
- Balbardie Indoor Bowling Club visited Neheim-Hüsten Jägerfest (Huntsman's Festival) from 17 - 21 August. [see Reports]
- Around 60 young musicians of the West Lothian Schools Brass Band have been invited to participate in "Sauerland Herbst", now the largest Brass Festival in the world. No surprise that these young ambassadors are in such demand - they are Scottish, British and European youth brass band champions under the strict but benevolent baton of Nigel Boddice MBE.
- The head of the Hochsauerland Music School, Herr Georg Schauerlein, lead a small delegation from HSK along with their Polish twinning link friends to hear and study the West Lothian Instrumental Service Spring Concert Series. Georg has been a good friend and colleague to twinning who holds our musical accomplishments in high regard.
- a group of eleven politicians from the CDU party will visit West Lothian. This group contains some long-time supporters of the twinning arrangements, with the international friendships transcending the politics!