World record attempt in Glarus
The craziest idea of 2026 will be realised on the Chilbi Saturday, 15 August 2026 in Glarus. The unique performance of the world’s largest nose flute orchestra will be a spectacle in the smallest capital of Switzerland. 500 people are to play ‘Sierra Madre’ together on a nose flute for five minutes. The world record attempt will take place at 13:30 in the Glarus town church.
World record attempt!
500 people playing the nose flute together for 5 minutes to play Sierra Madre. This is the ambitious plan for Saturday, 15 August 2026 from 13:30 to 14:30 in the Glarus town church. The ensemble will be accompanied by David Kobelt on the organ. The public is invited to come and experience unforgettable moments with fun and joy and to help realise the world record for the largest nose flute orchestra. 500 people is an ambitious goal! Will it succeed? If it does, the bells of the town church will announce the news! If the world record is not achieved, TB Glarus 11 will at least have the Swiss record. Afterwards, all participants and guests are invited to flood the Glarus Chilbi with their flutes and celebrate the success. The unusual flute sounds are to be heard all over the Chilbi grounds and create a special atmosphere! Anyone who wants to can wear a green top, the colour of the TB Glarus 11 club, to match the flute.
Main rehearsal
In the days leading up to the world record attempt, there are still various opportunities to prepare and actively participate in the record attempt as a participant. The NFP26 project team is preparing for the event with a public rehearsal on Tuesday, 11 August 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the city church. The flow, lighting and sound will be coordinated. For the first time, the interplay between the organ and the nose flutes will be tested. Flutes can also be purchased in this context. Playing the flute will also be demonstrated. Those who decide at the last minute can buy a flute on Friday evening at the TB Glarus 11 festival tent, try it out and spontaneously join in on Saturday! Additional events will be announced on the TB Glarus 11 homepage at short notice.
Who can participate in the record attempt?
All people with a nose flute who can play Sierra Madre are invited to participate in the record attempt. Children under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is not required, but is welcome at www.tbglarus11.ch. Important: The fun of participating is more important than the quality of the playing. Be brave and join in! We ask the musicians to arrive at the city church by 13:30 sharp. A short video on YouTube (TB Glarus11) shows how to play ‘Sierra Madre’ in the key that will be played on 15.8.2026. This video provides the opportunity to prepare ideally and sufficiently!
How do I get a flute?
Those who do not yet own a flute can order one online at www.tbglarus11.ch. Nose flutes can be purchased in Glarus at Physiotherapie Glarus, Tödisport, and Goldpfote. Flutes can also be obtained through members of TB Glarus 11. A flute costs CHF 5.00.
What is a nose flute?
The most crooked and charming wind instrument in the world, the nose flute (or humanatone), is a small wonder that fits into any pocket. The principle of the nose flute is as simple as it is ingenious: the flute is pressed against the nose and the open mouth at the same time. Air is blown into the instrument through the nose. The air stream hits a lip (labium), which produces the tone. The mouth cavity serves as a resonating chamber. By enlarging or reducing the mouth cavity (like when whistling or singing), the pitch changes.
From the idea to the record attempt
In recent months, many people have unexpectedly and surprisingly come into contact with a small, green plastic instrument, the nose flute. Curious, they couldn’t resist trying out the unfamiliar instrument. The Glarner Torballclub TB Glarus 11 is responsible for this flute euphoria. A special event was to be created for the anniversary of the tenth participation in the Glarner Chilbi festival with the festival tent. During the brainstorming phase, members of the club unexpectedly came into contact with a nose flute. After some research on the internet, the idea was born to have the largest nose flute ensemble in Glarus perform. The preparations began with the development and production of the club’s own nose flute, which was kept in the club colour green, by Jonas Nawrocki. At the same time, the NFP26 (Nose Flute Project 26) project framework was defined. Under the direction of Fritz Bolliger, information was disseminated, advertising was done, and instructions were given. What started as a ‘beer idea’ in September 2025 is to be completed in a spectacular event at the Glarner Chilbi festival.
A look at the history of the nose flute
The international documentation of the history of the nose flute is a real niche phenomenon, but enthusiasts keep track of the history of this instrument. The most important milestones in the record chronicle:
- Pioneering attempt in Meppen, December 8, 2005 {ENTITY5}Organised by André Dausin, 451 people gathered at the Christmas market in Meppen, Lower Saxony, to play the nose flute together. The song, sponsored by the main sponsor, was the classic ‘Jingle Bells’. It was the world’s first documented mass attempt for the Guinness Book of Records.
- Small ensemble in the USA, March 17, 2010
A move by the RecordSetter platform: Conductor Opus Moreschi led a nose flute orchestra of 109 people through the children’s song ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’.
- The Choralia record in Minnesota, 2012
At the VocalEssence Spring Gala event in the USA, 465 participants played the nose flute simultaneously. This slightly surpassed the Meppen record and still holds one of the documented records on alternative record platforms.
- NFP26 – The goal in Glarus, 15 August 2026
The Glarus nose flute project aims to set a new global benchmark with at least 500 people and the song ‘Sierra Madre’ in the Glarus city church.
For media enquiries:
Fritz Bolliger, project leader
TB Glarus 11
bolliger@physioglarus.ch
+41 77 406 87 24
