Figure 1.--A German reader reports on The Knabenmusik Meeresburg . He tells us, "The band was founded after World War II in 1953 and has since then risen to high standards. They perform usually in summer at the Meersburger Schloss as well as other events."

As in other European countries, many German villages and towns organized marching bands. We do not, however, have any information on German trends. The German Hitler Youth was noted for its drum and buggle corps. They accompanied marching Hitler Youth groups to keep the boys' spirits up on long hikes. They also participated in important civic and NAZI party functions. A German reader reports on The Knabenmusik Meeresburg . He tells us, "The band was founded after World War II in 1953 and has since then risen to high standards. They perform usually in summer at the Meersburger Schloss as well as other events. They are well-known not only in Meersburg and Baden-Württemberg but also other cities in Germany (Hannover). There have also been trips to foreign coiuntries, including the United States, Hungary, Norway, Moscow, Belgium, ruxelles and Hannover. In addition they can be heared by radio, TV or on CDs. They won awards at International competitions,as well. As a costume the 10-18 year olds wear a white shirt, red vest, black knickerbockerlike trousers, with white stockings, black shoes and a black hat with a white ring (Rokkoko style ca 1730-1780)." [Mueller] Our German reader does not think that the Knabenmusik Meersburg is only marching, but sometimes it could be doing so.

Village Bands

As in other European countries, many German villages and towns organized marching bands. These were mixed groups, almost always all males, but this may be changing. We note boys and men of all ages. We do not, however, have any specific information on German trends.

Youth Groups

Music was an important element in the program of several youth groups. The type of music, however, varied. Germany had a large diverse youth movemnt before the NAZIs seized power. The wandervogel was Germany's first uniformed youth group. It was notable for the interst in poetry and music. The music was primarily folk music. We do not see the Scouts much involved in music. The Hitler Youth was a differnt matter. Music was very important and a stfong focus on martial music. Hitler even commented on it. Explaining that the German public may profess a dislike of war, but all this cahnged whn a simple marching band came by.

Wandervogel

The wandervogel was Germany's first uniformed youth group. They even pre-dayted the Scout. Wndervogel was notable for the interst in poetry and music. The music was primarily folk music. We see Wandervogel goups teenage boys and girls often with guitars. Of course this was not a band. And instruments beyond guitars were much less common.

Boy Scouts

We do not see the Scouts much involved in music. American Scouts in the early years formed bands. We do not see that in Germany.

Hitler Youth

The Hitler Youth was a differnt matter. Music was very important and a stfong focus on martial music. Hitler even commented on it. Explaining that the German public may profess a dislike of war, but all this cahnged whn a simple marching band came by.And the Hitler Youth was noted for its drum and buggle corps. We notice large numbrs of DJ and HJ boys with musical instruments in the photograpic record. We rarely see BDM girls with ibstruments. The boys had destinctive shoulder dvices to mark their staus as members of a musical unit. They accompanied marching Hitler Youth groups to keep the boys' spirits up on long hikes. They also participated in important civic and NAZI party functions such as the annual NAZI Party Congress in Nuremburg. .

Other groups

Germany had a large diverse youth movemnt before the NAZIs seized power. There were dozens of groups of various sizes. This included both secular groups and groups with religious afiliation. We suspect that some of these groupd used music as part of the program, but we have very little information at this time.

Boy Bands

We notice several German boys bands. They were different than village bands as they in that only boys participated. Some have a long history dating to the early-19th century like the Kleine Schuetzentrommler. Some may even be earlier. Most gave more recent histories. They have been formed by adults interested in music. They are similar in way with choirs, although with the band, the Church was not important in supporting them. we have identified some if these bands. We see others, but can not yet identify them. Perhaps our Germn readers will know more. These groups are important in part because the schools offer a less important extra-curricular program. Germam schools, unlike American schools, for exmple, do not normally have marching bands.

Sources

Mueller, Reinhard. E-mail message, September 17, 2003.

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Created: September 18, 2003
Last updated: 11:50 PM 3/10/2014