Schenna klingt — 200th Anniversary of the Schenna Band

Two hundred years of music in Scena/Schenna

In July 2026, the Musikkapelle Schenna, the historic band of the municipality of Scena/Schenna, celebrates a rare milestone: its 200th anniversary. A "Kirchenrechnung" (parish accounting record) from 1825 confirms the band's existence, and it has been an inseparable part of life in this village overlooking the Merano basin, in the province of Bolzano/Bozen, ever since. To mark this bicentennial, "Schenna klingt" ("Schenna Resounds") was born—a three-day festival designed as a tribute to the tradition of Tyrolean Blasmusik.

The heart of the festival: the Piazza Raiffeisen marquee

The main hub of the event is the large marquee (Festzelt) set up in Piazza Raiffeisen, with activities extending to Schennastrasse, Archduke John Square (Erzherzog-Johann-Platz), and the local community hall. Over the three days, numerous bands from across the Alps—including South Tyrol, the Austrian Tyrol, Styria, Bavaria, and the Allgäu—will perform, creating a vibrant cross-cultural exchange of brass music.

The three-day program

The festival follows the classic structure of major South Tyrolean brass festivals, featuring beer tapping, concerts, and community gatherings:

• Friday, July 18 — Opening evening at Piazza Raiffeisen with the Fassanstich (tapping of the first keg); the stage will feature the Tegernseer Tanzlmusi followed by the Z-Pur Zillertaler Musikanten. A wine tent will also be set up on the village bridge.
• Saturday, July 19 — Schennastrasse becomes a stage: an afternoon parade leads into the marquee, with games for all ages and non-stop brass music from groups such as MK Hafling/Avelengo, NSO Böhmische, Fegerländer, and Gipfelblech. Late-night after-show party at the community hall with a DJ.
• Sunday, July 20 — A solemn morning featuring a flag procession, Holy Mass, and a commemorative ceremony at Archduke John Square, followed by the Frühschoppen (morning pint) and a band lunch with guest ensembles.

The tradition of Blasmusik in South Tyrol

The Musikkapellen are one of the strongest identity markers in the German-speaking villages of South Tyrol: over two hundred bands belong to the provincial federation, with thousands of musicians performing at festivals, processions, and anniversaries. The Scena/Schenna band, wearing its traditional Tracht (historical costume), embodies this deep bond between music, community, and the land. "Schenna klingt" is more than just a concert; it is a popular celebration weaving together music, local gastronomy, and Tyrolean hospitality in the exceptional setting of the Burgraviato, just minutes from Merano.

Why attend

Visitors to Scena/Schenna during the bicentennial weekend will experience the authentic atmosphere of South Tyrolean village life: local beer and wine, traditional dishes, marches, and polkas, all shared with a warm, family-friendly crowd. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Alpine brass culture in one of the most scenic villages above Merano.