Skip to main content
Stamps and collecting

20 April 2018 – Norges Musikkorps Forbund Centenary

Norges Musikkorps Forbund, the Norwegian Marching Band Association, is celebrating its centenary this year.

The Norwegian Band Federation is able to celebrate its centenary knowing full well that music and culture promote good health. Norway has the highest number of active marching band members in the world in relation to population size.

1983
NK 1983

A marching band is a large group of musicians or an ensemble normally comprising brass instruments and percussion. Marching bands are not the same thing as brass bands, which use only brass instruments, and military bands, which also include woodwind instruments.

1984
NK 1984

The marching band in its modern form emerged in Prussia in the 1850s, when military music was enhanced by adding tubas and saxophones. In Norway, an amateur marching band for men was founded in the 1870s. The first marching band for boys was formed in 1901. It was not until 1956 that Norwegian girls were formally allowed to join their school bands.

Norway’s marching bands play a key part in the celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day on 17 May, and Norway has the highest number of active marching band members in the world in relation to population size.