On 1 September 1914 it was formed as Norway's first amateur wind band by older members from the school band, along with Dragefjellet School headmaster, Sverre Vigander.
It remained a relatively small band until Ragnar Maalen became conductor in 1970.
Maalen served from 1970–1982, and led during a period in which "Dragen" expanded its membership and established its goals of becoming a leading Norwegian band.
It won the first Norwegian Wind Band Championships in 1981 with Maalen conducting.
Lars Kristian Brynildsen was conductor for ten years from 1986 to 1996.