The Willard G. Leenhouts American Legion Post No. 6 in Holland, Michigan, established a band in 1920. American Legion members from the area who had experience on musical instruments were invited to join the band, and following the American Legion’s purpose of serving the entire community, other musicians from the area were also invited. The band members’ pride and commitment have been consistent throughout the years; due to a strong sense of pride in the band and its service to the area, many of the band’s current members are second or third generation Holland American Legion Band members!

This year the Holland American Legion Band will celebrate it’s 91st consecutive season of providing service to the greater Holland area, as well as representing the city through various other performances. Sponsored by the City of Holland, its surrounding townships, the American Legion and other veterans organizations, the band has grown from 25 members in 1920 to over 100 in recent years. There is a core of regular members that rehearses each spring, and they are augmented by other area musicians, including high school and college music students, during the summer concert season.

The Holland American Legion Band, especially in its early years with the Holland Furnace Company as a sponsor, traveled frequently to other cities and states for conventions and parades, such as St. Paul, Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia. They distinguished themselves and won many awards in these performances, and continue to participate in similar events in the West Michigan area. In July, 2007, the band was invited to participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Mackinac Bridge, marching in the parade and giving a concert in Conkling Heritage Park. Locally, along with the Tuesday Night Concerts in Kollen Park throughout the summer, the band also marches in the annual Holland Tulip Time Festival Parade in May, and performs in the parade and at the cemetery on Memorial Day.

In June, 2009, the band went on a European Tour, participating in the 65th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, as well as giving performances in the Netherlands. The band also visited the grave of Willard G. Leenhouts in Belleau, France.  Leenhouts, for whom the band and Legion Post No. 6 are named, was Holland’s first casualty in WWI.

Throughout the Holland American Legion Band’s history there have been talented, dynamic directors to lead the band through its years of growth and change. Three of the band’s nine directors served many years, and are recognized for their impact on the organization. John “Dugan” Van Vyven was the band’s first director, serving from 1920 until 1929. After his death, Eugene Heeter took over the band and directed from 1929 to 1944. The band’s past director, Henry Vander Linde, directed from 1966 through concerts in the 2006 season. In honor of his many years of service, the city band shell (which was built and first used in 1958 ) overlooking Lake Macatawa in Kollen Park was recently re-named the “Henry P. Vander Linde Band Shell.” The band also offers an annual award to a student in one of the Holland area schools in his honor (visit our Educational Outreach page.)

The current director, Thom Working, has been a long time member of the band, and is part of a four-generation Legion Band family, with his grandfather, father and two sons having also played in the band. Thom was band director in the Byron Center Public Schools, teaching there from 1969-2006. In addition he taught French horn part time at several area colleges. Mr. Working has been Principal French horn in the Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo Symphonies, as well as playing often with other West Michigan symphony orchestras. He was also invited to play with the World Symphony Orchestra conducted by Arthur Fiedler in 1971. He served as conductor of the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians Band for over 20 years, and has served as the Operations and Personnel Manager for the Holland Symphony Orchestra.