United Royal Brass Bands of Diegem
Diegem had two brass bands: the Royal Brass Band of Diegem (1867) and the Royal Brass Band ‘De Eendracht’ (1876). Locally they were nicknamed ‘De grote Koppen’ (the big heads), because the first used to gather mainly intellectuals, and ‘De Maalkens’, after the workers who went to the factory with their ‘maaltje’ (lunch bundle).
Royal Brass Band of Diegem (1867)
In November 1867 August Hauwaerts, Charles Milde, Isidoor Hauwaerts and Pierre Rillaerts laid the foundations; by early 1868 the society already had 70 members, 34 of them musicians. A theatre section was formed in 1868. The band won a 2nd prize at an international competition in Brussels (1880) and a 1st prize in Mechelen (1887). In 1907 Leopold II granted it the title ‘Royal’.
Because of the war, the 50th anniversary was only celebrated in July 1920; in 1933–1934 the band had 498 members. The centenary followed in May and June 1967. Its conductors included Willem Van Perck (1874–1912), Juul De Wolf (1912–1942) and Laurent Kerremans (1947–1969). From 1929 the band met in the hall known from 1937 as ‘Zaal Milde’.
Royal Brass Band ‘De Eendracht’ (1876)
‘De Eendracht’ was founded on 15 October 1876, with H. Couder as its first president. The first rehearsals took place in the barn of Pie Poot’s inn. On 24 June 1923 the band won a 1st prize with distinction in Sint-Pieters-Jette; on 23 October 1923 it received the title ‘Royal’. It celebrated its 50th, 75th and 100th anniversaries in 1926, 1951 and 1976. A music school of its own was founded in 1972.
‘De Eendracht’ after the war
After the war ‘De Eendracht’ played at concerts, Flemish fairs and the jubilees of bands in the area; until 1958 it also had its own drama group, which mainly staged operettas. After the death of chairman Gerard Van Hamme in 1961, and of several committee members and musicians in quick succession, the band went through difficult years. In 1972 conductor Jos Mertens, deputy conductor Louis Boulanger and a few others set up a music school for young musicians and majorettes: lessons began on 1 September for some thirty young people, and at Easter 1973 the new drum corps marched out for the first time. In December 1975 Frans Soetemans became chairman.
For the centenary in 1976, bands and choirs from the area gave concerts, and deserving musicians received a decoration. That year the women's section, chaired by Jozefina Soetemans, presented the band with a new flag. In July 1979 Jos Mertens stepped down as conductor; after an interim with Louis Boulanger, Etienne Vanhoegaerden, a musician in the Navy band, became the new musical director.