Boys' Uniformed Group: Activities--Dutch Bands

Figure 1.--One group in a 1966 photograph performs in sailor caps with streamers, blazers (perhaps red), black short pants, white kneesocks, and black leather shoes. We know nothing about the group.

Band competitiins among youth organizatins appear to be popular among Dutch youth groups. HBU has noted Dutch Scout groups participating in band competitions. We have also noted other groups participating in competitions and events, altough we can not at this time identify the non-Scout groups involved. A reader tells us, "The Netherlands are known for their scoutbands. They do have competitions. I believe there are 20 or 25 groups making the combination music and scouting." [De Lobel]

Scouts

I'm not sure how popular Scout bands are in the Netherlands. The authors have noted one Dutch Scout band participating in English Scout band tournaments, but do not know how common bands are in Dutch Scouting groups. This has proven a very difficult topic to research. Dutch Scout internet sites do show that Scout groups do have bands an participate in competituions. Unfortunately as the sites are all in Dutch, it is difficult for HBC to obtain much information from them.

Other Groups

HBU has noted non-Scout groups participating in competitions and events, altough we can not at this time identify the non-Scout groups involved. One group in a 1966 photograph shows the boys performing in sailor caps with streamers, blazers (perhaps red), black short pants, white kneesocks, and black leather shoes. We know nothing about the group. Given that uniform, especially the sailor caps, they do not appear to be a Scout band. They are, however, a coed group. The girls have similar uniforms, only skirts insteeadv of short pants like the boys wear.

Individual Groups

There seem to be avout 20-25 youth bands in the Netherlands during the 2000s. A Dutch Scouting website lists some of the individual youth group bands in the Netherlands.

Sources

De Lobel, Frederik. E-mail message, January 9, 2008.