1,800 trombonists to play nonstop for 72 hours in Nuremberg church in world record bid
Roughly 1,800 musicians from more than 140 groups across Bavaria will take shifts to keep trombone music sounding without interruption in St. James’s Church. The marathon ends Sunday morning with a church service.
72 hours of nonstop trombone music will fill Nuremberg's St. James's Church next week as roughly 1,800 brass players attempt a world record. Organiser Thomas Engelbrecht of the Association of Evangelical Trombone Choirs in Bavaria said the logistical demands are considerable. The church will host a meticulously choreographed rotation of musicians drawn from more than 140 ensembles from across Bavaria.
How the marathon works
Three groups play simultaneously for 90 minutes, handing over to the next three groups within only a few seconds. The cycle repeats 48 times until Sunday morning. No full rehearsal was possible because the musicians are scattered across the state.
Only a few seconds may pass between pieces.
We could never rehearse it because the musicians come from all over Bavaria.
Some of the groups will perform several times during the three days, including through the night.
Repertoire and audience
The programme ranges from Christian music to pop. Engelbrecht hopes the simultaneous Bardentreffen, a free open-air festival that brings musicians from around the world to Nuremberg’s inner city, will draw visitors into the church.
We also want to show that we are a community. The world record cannot be achieved alone, only together.
He said the aim is to raise the public profile of trombone choirs and attract new young members.
Verification and next steps
The attempt ends with a Sunday morning service. Throughout the 72 hours, Engelbrecht must document the event with photos, videos and signatures from participants in each group. The material will be submitted to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland, which will review it.
- Roughly 1,800 musicians from more than 140 groups start rotating 90-minute shifts in St. James's Church.
- The 72-hour continuous performance ends with a church service.
- Organisers submit documentation to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland; official confirmation expected within 1–2 working days.
Official confirmation of the record is expected within one to two working days after the submission.
