Band a breath of fresh air
HERE is a saying that we can’t all talk together but we can sing together, regardless of who you are, the colour of your skin or where you come from.
The sound of music is the one form of communication that unites nations regardless if the person standing next to you at a concert does not have the same hair texture as you. In fact, you will end up dancing and singing along with that person.
That is how the KZN Youth Wind Band want their audience to be when they perform… not to see difference but to unite through sound. The chairwoman of the band and chief executive of the Durban Music School, Kim Matthews, said when the youth rehearsed or performed before an audience, they broke down barriers.
“When they play, they all become one musician delivering a harmonious sound,” she said.
The band, which comprises 55 members, will fly the South African flag high when they jet off to the US on March 10.
They will perform at Carnegie Hall for the 2017 New York Symphonic Band Festival.
Matthews said they submitted an audition tape to the organisers and were recently given the good news. The group will be the first African ensemble invited to perform on the stage that was once graced by Italian operatic tenor, Luciano Pavarotti and KZN’s legendary maskandi artist Phuzekhemisi.
Team SA will perform an item to show off its African culture before collaborating with bands from six countries, including the US.
This band, said Matthews, was placed first at the Vienna Youth and Music Festival in 2009 in Austria and they proved to be a resounding success, while on tour in Cape Town two years ago.
Last year it received the top mark of 93.5% at the SA Marching Concert Band Championship in Empangeni.
“When they compete, we tell them to have fun. It’s not about winning. It’s about showing the world the beauty of our country through music.”
Matthews added that one of their top moments was during the 2009 Brics summit when they showcased their talents at the Durban Music School for China’s first lady Peng Liyuan and her South African counterpart, Thobeka Madiba Zuma.
She added there have been disappointments when they missed competitions due to the lack of funds.
But they could not miss out on this international opportunity in New York.
They decided to contact the KZN Human Settlements and Public Works MEC Ravi Pillay for help.
“He listened to the band play and was impressed and the eThekwini Municipality as well as the Department of Arts and Culture have sponsored us, together with a private businessman.”
Pillay said what caught his eye was that the band was diverse.
“Young people from different backgrounds delivering such a melody together, now that is social cohesion,” said Pillay.
“They are so passionate and reflect such a rainbow nation. To me, this is like my soccer team going to play at Wembley Stadium. They need to be celebrated and recognised.”
The Durban Music School has over 500 students, 420 of whom are bursary recipients.
“In this school, we try and give an ordinary child an opportunity to learn music, tour the world and live their dream,” added Matthews.
The band performed at a send-off concert at The Playhouse on Sunday.