INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL

In September 2024, the end of the Klaipėda summer concert season in open spaces was crowned by the first-ever INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL, organized by the Klaipėda City Municipality Cultural Center Žvejų rūmai. In order to increase accessibility and attractiveness to a wide audience, the free festival events spread throughout the city on September 7th - to the northern and southern parts of the city from Danė Square.

Based on historical facts, Samogitia and Little Lithuania (Mažoji Lietuva) have been distinguished by the strength and uniqueness of their wind instruments music traditions for three centuries. Due to the influence of manor music schools, wind instrument orchestras were formed throughout Lithuania in the 18th-19th centuries. In 1923, after Stasis Šimkus founded the Klaipėda Conservatory (now the Stasis Šimkus Conservatory), a strong school of orchestral music, and especially wind instruments, emerged in Lithuania. These significant events inspired the festival organizers to give a modern meaning to traditions with deep historical roots.

It is hoped that the new music festival will appeal to Klaipėda residents, encouraging residents of various neighborhoods to "go outside" on weekend mornings or simply open their windows to listen to orchestral music, and then prepare for events taking place in the city center.

Five ensembles participated in the first international orchestra festival: the Latvian Naval Forces Orchestra (conductor Andris Rasmanis ), Lithuanian Air Force Orchestra (conductor Captain Remigijus Terminas), Lithuanian Riflemen Union 8th Samogitian Riflemen's Orchestra (conductor Linas Senkus), Klaipėda Jazz Orchestra (conductor Kęstutis Sova ) and Palanga Orchestra (artistic director and chief conductor Vygantas Rekašius). The artistic director of the festival is the leader and conductor of the Lithuanian Navy Orchestra, trombonist Egidijus Miknius.

The 2nd International Orchestra Festival will take place on September 5–6, 2025. This year, the event is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of M. K. Čiurlionis.