Oldest all-female brass band in northern Europe strikes up friendship with Calpe

What began as a simple holiday to Spain turned into an unexpected celebration of music, tradition and international friendship when one of northern Europe’s most historic brass bands paid a special visit to Calpe.

The Haslum Skoles Jentekorps, believed to be the oldest all-female brass band in northern Europe, swapped sightseeing for an impromptu cultural exchange with residents during a visit that has been warmly welcomed by the Costa Blanca town. Founded in 1952 in Haslum, near Oslo, the Norwegian ensemble has spent more than seven decades bringing together generations of young female musicians.

A holiday that became something much more

The group originally travelled to Calpe simply for a leisure break. However, inspired by the atmosphere of the town and its welcoming community, the young musicians decided to perform during their stay, transforming their visit into an international cultural event.

Their performance coincided with the celebrations of Nit de Sant Joan, one of the Mediterranean’s best-loved festivals, creating an especially meaningful moment for both locals and visitors.

The timing was no coincidence. The summer solstice is also celebrated across Norway, where it is known as Jonsok or Sankthansaften. Like Sant Joan, the tradition centres around bonfires, light, the sea and welcoming the longest days of the year, giving the performance a symbolic connection between the two countries.

Calpe’s growing international connections

The visit forms part of Calpe Town Hall’s wider ambition to encourage cultural tourism alongside its reputation as one of the Costa Blanca’s most popular beach destinations.

Rather than focusing solely on traditional tourism, the municipality has increasingly promoted international exchanges that create lasting relationships with communities across Europe.

In recent years, Calpe has welcomed youth orchestras from Berlin, strengthened links with the German town of Bebra through the local Rondalla, and is preparing to host an Irish gospel choir later this year. The Norwegian band’s visit adds another chapter to that growing network of international cultural partnerships.

More than music

For many residents, the performance served as a reminder that music can bridge cultures regardless of language.

The shared traditions surrounding the summer solstice made the event particularly fitting, highlighting surprising similarities between Scandinavian and Mediterranean celebrations despite the countries being separated by thousands of kilometres.

As Calpe continues to develop its reputation as a destination for cultural experiences as well as sunshine holidays, exchanges like this offer visitors the chance to connect more deeply with local life while giving residents the opportunity to experience traditions from elsewhere in Europe.

It may have started as an ordinary holiday, but for the Haslum Skoles Jentekorps and the people of Calpe, it ended as a memorable celebration of music, friendship and the universal spirit of midsummer.