Marching Band Brings Norwegian Flair To Fourth Of July Celebration

By Molly Daly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Independence Visitor Center hosted a Norwegian youth marching band Monday afternoon. They wowed the crowd with traditional, classical and popular music.

The program kicked off with Steve Winwood's "Gimme Some Lovin'" featuring six of the junior members, an impressive performance, especially when you consider most of the kids had never played music before they joined the band.

"They're starting from the ground up at the age of eight. It's the first time they're introduced to the instrument usually."

Strommen and Skjettin Marching Band President Thor Engoy says the rest of the members range from 11 to 19. Their nine day East Coast tour includes seven performances, 18-year-old percussionist Johannes says it's a great experience.

"It's the combination of having this really amazing vacation, as well as being able to be with my friends in the band, and being able to play the music that we love, and have practiced for for so long. This has been our goal for the last year."

He's especially looking forward to marching in Washington's Fourth of July parade.

"The United States has more culture for school bands and etc. than Norway has, so I'm excited to see the responses from the audience, and feel the spirit here. It's really nice."