Ramsey Town Band is set to join forces with a Swiss brass band for a special musical collaboration at Peel Cathedral this weekend.

Brass Band Lignières will travel to the island from Switzerland for the one-off concert on Saturday (October 3) at 7.30pm, joining island musicians for an evening of live brass music.

The one-off concert is now sold out.

Based in Lignières, Neuchâtel, this Swiss band has a musical tradition dating back to 1922. It performs a varied repertoire and regularly takes part in concerts, community events and competitions, combining its musical activities with a strong sense of community.

In a post on its website, Brass Band Lignières shared further details of its upcoming trip, describing the island as ‘a small island of 80,000 inhabitants located in the middle of the Irish Sea’, where it has been invited to perform several concerts.

It will be joined by Ramsey Town Band, which has been part of the island’s brass music scene for decades. Established in 1981, the current band brings together musicians of different ages from across the north of the island.

Ramsey Town Band performs at concerts, community events and competitions, helping to continue the tradition of brass band music in Ramsey and beyond.

For one evening, musicians from both groups will share the stage at Peel Cathedral, giving audiences the chance to hear two brass traditions from different countries come together.

Organisers say the collaboration offers a unique opportunity which may not be repeated, with the Swiss musicians making the journey specifically for the event.

Peel Cathedral will provide a historic setting for the performance, with the concert offering an opportunity for both dedicated brass band enthusiasts and those simply looking to enjoy an evening of live music.

For Ramsey Town Band, hosting fellow musicians from overseas also provides a chance to share the island’s brass band tradition and build connections through music.

The collaboration brings together musicians from the Isle of Man and Switzerland, each with their own musical histories and traditions, for one special performance.

Ahead of the concert in Peel, the two bands will perform at the Park Hotel in Ramsey on Friday evening alongside junior bands.

That informal performance begins at 7.30pm. Tickets are free, but space is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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