Dragefjellets Musikkorps

Dragefjellets Musikkorps, also known as the Bergen Symphonic Band is an elite division amateur wind band in Bergen, Norway. It traces its beginnings from 1909 as the band at the Dragefjellet School. On September 1, 1914, it was formed as Norway's first amateur wind band by older members from the school band, along with Dragefjellet School headmaster, Sverre Vigander. It remained a relatively small band until Ragnar Maalen became conductor in 1970. Maalen served from 1970 - 1982, and led during a period in which "Dragen" expanded its membership and established its goals of becoming a leading Norwegian band. It won the first Norwegian Wind Band Championships in 1981 with Maalen conducting. Lars Kristian Brynildsen was conductor for ten years from 1986 - 1996. And the band won the Norwegian championships twice during this period. After Brynildsen's departure, Dragen continued without a principal conductor, and worked with numerous conductors (including Brynildsen) on a project-by-project basis for the next decade. The band has won the Norwegian Wind Band Championships a total of six times: 1981, 1983, 1988, 1992, 2006 and 2007. It has close ties with the Grieg Academy of music, and many of its members are current or former academy students.