Musical youngsters will be out in Nottingham this weekend marking 50 years of friendship between Nottingham and its twin city Karlsruhe in Germany.

The Robin Hood Youth Orchestra will be holding a series of flash mobs in the city on Saturday 13 July as part of the twinning celebrations.

This will start with a performance outside the Council House at 9.30am and end at the same venue at 4.45pm. In the meantime, the musicians will visit Sneinton Market, Trinity Square, Smithy Row, St Peter’s Square, the Robin Hood statue, Trent Bridge cricket ground and the Arboretum.

The group is the flagship orchestra for Nottingham Music Service, a charity providing life-changing musical programmes for young people in Nottingham City. At the same time as celebrating the twinning milestone, members will be raising funds for the service to help continue its work.

Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing these talented young musicians bringing their sound to the streets of Nottingham at the weekend. I’m sure it will be enjoyed by everyone who catches one of the performances.

“This event is one of a number that we have planned this year to mark 50 years of twinning with Karlsruhe. Links between the two cities have been hugely successful and reaching our half-century anniversary is a real milestone.

“Our twinning relationship started in 1969 and since then hundreds of local people have benefitted from the regular exchanges that have been held between the two cities.”

Nottingham Music Service and the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra have a close friendship with Jugendorchester Stadt (BOTH CORR) Karlsruhe, a youth orchestra based in Germany. Continuing the 50-year celebrations, Nottingham musicians will be visiting Karlsruhe next week.

Ian Burton, Chief Executive for Nottingham Music Service, said: “Robin Hood Youth Orchestra is a unique, exciting ensemble with inclusion at its core. The members play a wide range of musical styles and genres, and have performed around the country including at the Buxton Fringe Festival, Peak Cavern and the Royal Concert Hall.

“Their friendship with the Karlsruhe youth orchestra is very powerful, with young people in both countries benefiting enormously from their combined rehearsals and performances, and creating long-lasting friendships.”

A host of events – including the creation of a Castle Rock celebratory ale – were launched in April to mark the anniversary. These include:

22 – 29 July –The Nottingham/Karlsruhe friendship groups will be celebrating 40 years of friendship in 2019

23 – 26 July -Civic Event(Nottingham Civics visiting Karlsruhe)

  • In addition to Nottingham City Council colleagues, delegates from Blueprint, NTU, INIT, Castle Rock Brewery and the Nottingham/Karlsruhe friendship group will also be attending
  • Events during the trip include: tour of Brauhaus brewery, official civic reception; concert performance by Robin Hood Youth Orchestra & Karlsruhe Youth Orchestra, unveiling of Nottingham’s gift to Karlsruhe – ‘Green Man Of Sherwood’ Hoodwinked statue

5 – 30 August – Summer Internship to Karlsruhe

  • Two university students were selected to undertake a four-week summer internship at Karlsruhe council

3 – 6 October – Civic event(Karlsruhe civics visiting Nottingham). Events during the trip include:

  • 3 – 19 October – Karlsruhe exhibition at Urban Rooms, Carrington Street and Central Library, Angel Row
  • 4 October – Delegation visit to local business, NUH, and universities
  • 4 October – German Choir performance at St Mary’s Church, with Carlton Male Voice Choir

New Friendships – Fernwood School in Nottingham will now be linked with Max-Planck-Gymnasium School in Karlsruhe

New Brewery Partnership – Brewing plans between Castle Rock Brewery & Brauhaus 2.0 to create an official twinship beer.