Pécs Miners’ Wind Orchestra Pécs is one of the most renowned wind orchestras of Pécs, that gives two (spring and autumn) house concerts a year.

They also play regularly at festivals and events both national and international. The orchestra, conducted by Ferenc Szabó, is a regular participant in the Pécs National Theatre Meeting.

The amateur wind orchestra was founded in 1957 within the Pécs Uranium Ore Mining Company, with the participation of former military musicians. After the early period, from 1961 the orchestra became a regular participant in wind music events, enriching its repertoire with sophisticated music. Tibor Tölgyessy was the conductor of the orchestra for 11 years (1959-1970) until his retirement. He was also behind the orchestra’s first real success: in 1968, the orchestra won the “Golden Lute” award at the Siklós Wind Music Festival.

The most successful period of the orchestra’s history began in 1972. Árpád Apáthy, music teacher, took over the conducting duties, and the material conditions were improved considerably. The Mecsek Ore Mining Company supported the orchestra with a large amount of money. However, from 1988, mainly due to financial reasons, Apáthy and the majority of the orchestra members could not continue to participate in the orchestra’s work. Only the second half of 1991 brought a revival of the orchestra, with the addition of new, young members. In 1992 the orchestra took the name of the Pécs Miners’ Wind Orchestra, which is still in use today.

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