Figure 1.--This photograph shows the boys at the Boston Grammar School partixipating in the Schuplattlergruppe. This was in 2000. |
Boston Grammar School has one notable tradition that appears unique among British schools. It is a Schuplattlergruppe that developed out of the German language program.
The Boston Grammar School has a Schuplattlergruppe, a German dance troop. It may be the only English school to have one. The group was formed after a school trip to Austria. The Schuplattlergruppe has a considerable history and is a popular tradition at the school. The group was started by Richard Anderson who was the head of Modern Languages at the school about 1974 [Hill]. The group has travelled widely in their Lederhosen, performing in the UK and internationally. They were featured on the BBC programme, Blue Peter on January 22, 2001 The group seems an excellent approach to getting students lerning German involved with German culture. The current leader is James Hill.
Boston Grammar's Schuplattlergruppe Dance Groupe maintains an interesting website which describes the uniqueness of the traditional German costume and provides details about the groups current activities..
A reader writes, "It's nice that these boys take an interest in other countries. You can tell, however, from the hats and halters that the boys are not Germans."
Hill, James. E-mail message, March 23, 2004.
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[The 1880s]
[The 1930s]
[The 1940s]
[The 1950s]
[The 1960s]
[The 1970s]
[The 1980s]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]