BLUE DEVILS

The Blue Devil Drum Corps in the USA are generally considered to be the best Drum Corp/Showband in the world.

“Truly spectacular,” agrees South Africa’s Field Band Foundation Director, Retha Cilliers. “In 2009, their CEO Dave Gibbs attended the Field Band Foundation Championships in Johannesburg and loved what we are doing and he has been looking for funds to have a programme with us ever since then.

The Blue Devils use music and the performing arts to connect youth through a common language crossing generational, social, and racial barriers. To continue their mission, they are formulating the programme, One Music One World which will create life-changing experiences through international exchanges that leverage music to bridge cultural, economic and social divides to establish lifetime social engagement in youth.

“One Music One World will form worldwide partnerships to build long-term relationships that provide a positive impact on youth around the world,” says a representative. “The first partnership will be with the Field Band Foundation of South Africa (http://www.fieldband.org.za). Together, we will facilitate cultural, instructional and instrument exchange for youth, teachers and audiences and provide experiential learning on social justice.” One Music One World will create lasting social change and world-savvy leaders through the joy and education of the performing arts.

“A real opportunity has presented itself,” Retha Cilliers continues. “Chase Bank is giving away substantial amounts of funding but it depends on the number of votes that programmes get on Facebook. In round one they came 11th (in the whole USA) and that allowed them to enter for the final round - so now we need to get enough votes for them to get to Number 1 and we have thousands of youngsters on Facebook who could do this for us. Your friends and family - ANYBODY who is on facebook can vote for this programme and make sure that we build an exchange programme with the Blue Devils.”

This collaboration would certainly raise the profile of the FBF and provide a unique international marketing opportunity for it worldwide because the Blue Devils are so well known internationally.

Voting is open on Facebook and at http://www.bluedevils.org/omow/ and remains open until May 25.