«Smågardistene» is the name of the school band at Stabekk school. The name «Smågardistene» means «small guardsmen», and refers to The Royal Guardsmen of Norway HMK Kongens Garde. In 1953 Stabekk school band was «adopted» by HMK Kongens Garde, and since then Smågardistene have had uniforms similar to those of HMK Kongens Garde and also the school band takes pride in mastering advanced marching, just like HMK Kongens Garde.
What is a Norwegian school band?
A school band is a band of musicians from a local school or an area. School bands usually are marching bands during spring and summer, and are extremely important for the Norwegian National day the 17.th of May. The instruments in school bands are usually flute, clarinet, saxophone, french horn, euphonium, trumpet, cornet, trombone, tuba and percussion. The musicians in a school band are from the age 8 to the age of 19.
Smågardistene and rehearsals
Smågardistene are currently counts about 85 musicians 8-19 years old. Many of our musicians start in the school band when they are around 8-9 years old. The youngest ones in Smågardistene play in the Junior band. At the age of 11 they usually become part of the main school band. The juniors rehearse every Thursday 17:30-19:30, and the main school band rehearses Thursdays 18:00-20:30. All the musicians get private lessons with an instructor at individual times ranging from 14:00 to 19:00. Most of our musical instructors come to Stabekk school and give lessons there.
Arrangements through the year
The year for the school band corresponds with the school year. Below is a table roughly describing the activities in Smågardistene throughout the year.
| Month | Activity |
| August | We start up in August every year and usually play at a festival (Sandvika byfest ) |
| September | – usually a school band gathering – Flea market at the end of September |
| October | Fall concert |
| November | Playing at the lighting of the christmas tree at Bekkestua late November/early December |
| December | Christmas concert in Jar church Christmas bingo (internal christmas gathering) |
| January | Overnight rehearsal and social happening in Kongsberg |
| February | |
| March | Spring concert |
| April | Flea market Marching rehearsals |
| May | school band gatherings 17.th of May (national day) |
| June | Norwegian Marching championship The school band travels away for 5-7 days in Norway or abroad for playing, marching and having fun. |
Cost and practical
Members of the school band pay for private lessons and membership in the school band. The cost is described on this page. Instruments are borrowed from the school band for free. Uniforms are borrowed for free.
Contact us
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the school band.
Christmas concert in Jar church 
Christmas Bingo (internal social arrangement) 
Junior musicians rehearsing 
Lighting the christmas tree at Bekkestua 
School band travel 
Flea market 
Main school band rehearsing at Kongsberg