Bigband Drachten

On Sunday afternoon, May 26, Bigband Drachten will be ready from 2 p.m. on the Pizelplak, Wiidswei 1, Earnewâld to provide a smashing performance with a broad repertoire!

History in a nutshell

The orchestra was founded in 1984 in Rijperkerk. The two initiators, Lieuwe Tiemersma and Lútsen Riedstra saw an opportunity, through an advertisement in the newspaper, to get a whole big band formation together. First under the name, BIGBAND TIETJERKSTERADEEL, but soon the name was changed to: BIGBAND VOLUME. After some trial performances, the first public performance was in Bergum, during the hobby exhibition in the Pleats (1984).

In 1995 the big band underwent a facelift; a flashier image was chosen, including a new name: NORTHERN SWINGBAND Of course, in recent years many musicians have played in this orchestra for a short or longer period of time and have already shown their musical talents elsewhere, yet there are still some members who have been playing from the beginning and do not want to stop. Not only because of the pleasant atmosphere in this association, but of course also because of the pleasure of making big band music together.

Several years ago, partly because of the cultural climate, the orchestra moved to Drachten. That this decision benefited the quality of this band is evidenced by the influx of enthusiastic new members and not least by the recruitment of new bandleader “mister swing” Jelle Visser. In the summer of 2011, it is therefore decided to change the name to BIGBAND DRACHTEN.

Band leaders over the years have been Lieuwe Tiemersma, Henk Broekman, Ronald van Dijk, Jacques Sambrink, Jelle Visser and the current leader is Libbe Oosterman.

Don’t miss it and come to Earnewâld!

This activity is part of the summer activities organized in Earnewâld under the banner “Eltse snein wat by d’ein!”. Every Sunday afternoon from May through September, the middle class and local associations organize an activity that takes place in and around the center of Earnewâld.