RIGA - The International Trombone Festival that will take place in Riga from July 29 to August 1 will bring together more than 500 trombonists, educators, composers, and music industry representatives from various countries around the world, the festival's representative Vairis Nartiss told LETA.

The festival takes place in a different country each year. Organizers note that this will be the largest festival of performers of the same instrument in Latvian history to date.

The festival's program includes concerts, master classes, international competitions, lectures, workshops, student ensembles, professional discussions, as well as an exhibition of musical instruments and sheet music publishers.

During the festival, Riga will welcome a number of internationally renowned trombonists and musicians, including Christian Lindberg, Marshall Gilkes, Peter Steiner, Louise Pollock, Shannon Barnett, Johan de Meij, Hakan Bjorkman, Jonas Bylund, Christopher Davis, Sophia Bright, and Daniel Perpinan, and others.

Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, Latvian Radio Big Band, the National Guard Orchestra, and Riga Orchestra will also participate in the festival.

The festival will open on July 29 at Riga Latvian Society House with a concert by Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and soloists. The orchestra will be conducted by Swedish trombonist and conductor Lindberg.

On July 30, Riga Cathedral will host a concert for trombone and organ, featuring Italian trombonist Steiner and Austrian organist Constanze Hochwartner. On the same day at 6 p.m., Riga History and Navigation Museum will host a concert-lecture by Nartiss on the museum's collection of historic trombones.

On July 31, the National Guard Orchestra will perform at Riga Latvian Society House. The concert's program will feature music of composer, conductor, and trombonist Johan de Meij, with Swedish trombonist Bjorkman as the soloist.

On August 1 at 2 p.m. festival participants, together with Riga Orchestra, will perform "Lauku Kazas" (Country Wedding) at Riga Latvian Society House - a work by trombonist, composer, and Riga Orchestra founder Gunars Ordelovskis.

The festival's closing concert at Riga Latvian Society House on August 1 will feature Latvian Radio Big Band alongside American jazz trombonist Gilkes.

Tickets for festival concerts are available at Bilesu Paradize outlets.