See below for details of our next trip to Hilden
The exchange between the Warrington & District Youth Orchestra and Musikschule Hilden (Germany) began in 1978, as part of the town twinning arrangements. The exchange normally happens annually.
This year, we are looking forward to a joint residential in Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster in October. See below for details.
Both groups of musicians come together for a residential weekend, enjoying music workshops, rehearsals and fun activities. The visitors are then hosted by families of the Orchestra, and have opportunities to experience the local area. The musicians then all come together again to play for the Mayor’s Concert – always a high point of the trip.
We are very proud of our links with Hilden, and our affection for our friends there grows with each visit. This exchange is one of the real highlights of our year. It’s always a wonderful opportunity for the children and a great cultural link for Warrington.
Hilden Musikschule
Hilden is a small town in North West Germany near Düsseldorf. The towns were formally twinned in 1968 (the relationship arising out of the stationing of the Lancashire regiment in the area).
Hilden Musikschule is a German Public Music School, being a foundation for the musical education of children, adolescents and adults. As such it supplements rather than replacing music instruction in school. Hilden’s symphony orchestra (which is made up of young people and adults) is called Sinfo.
October 2025 plans
We are delighted to invite the members of our Symphony and Chamber Orchestras to our music workshop residential 17-19 October 2025 at ACUK Pioneer Centre in Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster. This is part of our very popular exchange with Hilden Music School in Germany, and their youth orchestra will be joining us at our residential weekend where we will be meeting up with old and new friends.
For more details, please read the invitation letter here: