Tomorrow (October 7), the sounds of brass, percussion,
marimbas and steel drums, with accompanying flash of flags and colourful
costume, will reverberate through Johannesburg’s Alexandra when the Field Band
Foundation (FBF) holds its 20th-Year National Field Band Celebration at the
Alexandra Stadium.
South Africa’s 11 top performance Field Bands, each with 120
members, will put on long-rehearsed displays of closely choreographed music,
dance and band movement before FBF, and the public.
The event is opened at 09h30 by Johannesburg’s executive
mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba, Department of Arts & Culture Deputy
Director-General (Institutional Governance), Ms Kelebogile Sethibelo, and FBF
CEO Nicky du Plessis.
artSMart editor, Caroline Smart, is the judge for the
marimbas and steel drum sections.
Bands competing for national honours qualified through the
judging of filmed performance entries from Field Bands from 21 townships across
seven provinces. Competing on October 7 are the Field Bands of Alexandra,
Blouberg, Dordrecht, Kroonstad, Kuruman, Musina, Parys, Philipstown, Setlabotjha,
Soweto, and Viljoenskroon.
The Field Band Foundation NPC (www.fieldband.org.za) was
founded in 1997 to use the global performance band concept in bringing focussed
life-skills training to young people in areas of disadvantage. Since then, more
than 50,000 youngsters have gone through the programme.
The Foundation currently has 42 bands across SA, and
receives significant corporate support. State support comes through the
national Department of Arts & Culture, and international support primarily
through partners in Norway and the US.
“The 2017 FBF National Field Band Celebration promises a
morning of superb family entertainment with live instrumental music that will
stir your soul,” says du Plessis.
The event takes place on October 7 from 09h00 to 14h00, at
the Alexandra Stadium, 12th Avenue, Alexandra, Johannesburg.
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