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South Africa hears the drumbeatThis article was originally published in the May 2008 edition of Drum Corps World (Volume 37, Number 2). South Africa is on another continent from most of corpsdom, yet conducts ceremonies of cherished traditions. Herman Mashaba is the chairman of the Field Band Foundation. In a country that seeks to reduce apartheid, AIDS, poverty and more, performing arts is employed as a powerful tool, just as television hostess Oprah Winfrey’s school for girls has helped. Lessons that would apply to other circuits globally should be studied. Here are excerpts from Mashaba’s 2007 annual report and U.S. Chairman Scott Morgan’s American summary. With British spellings and referrals to “bands”, these units march as drum corps using American-made bugles in the key of G. Their groups are called bands because the term is more universally known in that country and has been quite helpful in gaining financial grants from large corporations. Mashaba stated, “It was hardly three years after the birth of our democracy that the [Field Band] Foundation was born as a vehicle to make a contribution to the reconstruction and development of our society through the cultural means targeting the youth. Since those humble beginnings in 1997, when the Foundation started with 600 youngsters in four provinces, we have experienced a phenomenal growth far surpassing our wildest expectations. These major achievements are a confirmation that our mission is the correct mission, answering the needs of our target audience -- the SA youth. “Significant progress has been made in the area of performances as evidenced by the outstanding displays by various bands at the National Championships to celebrate our 10th Anniversary [held last fall]. The production of the first CD of the More... |
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