The 29th Annual Hof Winterfest took place in Ogden, UT from January 16-17, 2015. The celebration is an annual event, celebrating the sister cities of Hof (Germany) and Ogden. The partnership was initially formed in 1954 as one of the first Sister-City relationships created between the United States and Germany after World War II.

Among the several groups of accordionists performing at the festival which also iuncluded Euroherz-Musikanten and Salberger Echo, was an outstanding accordion Quintet from the Hof Accordion Orchestra which is part of the Music School of the Hofer Symphoniker.

The Hof Accordion Orchestra has toured the USA on numerous occasions, most recently during the AAA and ATG hosted Coupe Mondiale in Alexandria, VA. They recently celebrated their 30th Anniversary Concert in Hof, which included all former players, including New York based accordionist Kevin Friedrich, who has performed as a member of the orchestra on several occasions.

The Hof Quintet performing under the festival name Schnitz and Baggeria comprised Carolin Jeremias, Julian Feulner, Adrian Stieglitz, Johannes Dimmling and Christoph Plass. They performed a variety of popular German favorites as well as music from one of their musical inspirations The Motion Trio. The Golden Spike Event Center was filled to capacity and even attracted city officials from Hof, Germany including their Mayor Dr. Harald Fichtner.

The annual event falls in January each year, and attracts participants from around the country and overseas. For more information, please visit www.HOFgermanfest.com

Bottom photo: Carolin Jeremias, Kevin Friedrich, Julian Feulner and Johannes Dimmling (standing).Front: Christoph Plass and Adrian Stieglitz.