Dimitar Mechev Youth Brass Band With Majorettes, Velingrad, Bulgaria
Founded in 1965 by Dimitar Mechev, the Representative Youth Wind Orchestra of Velingrad has carried the musical spirit of the town and Bulgaria to major national and international stages for more than six decades. In 1978, on Mechev’s initiative, the orchestra established the first majorette ensemble in Bulgaria – an innovative idea at the time that became a distinctive hallmark of the formation.
Since then, this unique musical and dance symbiosis has received numerous awards and enthusiastic applause at national and international festivals. The ensemble has performed successfully in Germany, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Greece, and other European countries, turning each appearance into a celebration of youth, rhythm, and artistic spirit.
On the occasion of its 60th anniversary celebrated last year, the ensemble performed at Paris’s Trocadéro Square, with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop. During its anniversary concert, the orchestra received the highest recognitions and honors from the Vice President of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Culture, the National Guard Unit, and the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists.
The orchestra is also a vital part of Bulgaria’s cultural life and an emblem of the town of Velingrad. Locals often joke that “in every household in Velingrad there is either a musician or a majorette” – a saying that reflects the deep-rooted tradition behind the ensemble.
The repertoire spans classical marches, jazz standards, and contemporary arrangements of popular music. With every performance, the ensemble proves that tradition is not a thing of the past, but a living source of inspiration – earning its well-deserved reputation as “The Emblem of Velingrad.”
Today, the orchestra is led by conductor maestro Dimitar Lazarov and Biliana Maslarova, choreographer and artistic director of the majorette ensemble. Under their artistic leadership, the ensemble maintains high professional standards while combining tradition with a modern vision that engages and inspires young performers.
