How Modern Music is Shaping the Future of Marching Bands

EMPANGENI HIGH MARCHING BAND CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN 2019
  • Colonial Legacy: Marching bands in South Africa trace their roots back to the arrival of European colonizers – Dutch and British. Military bands played a role in public displays and instilled a sense of order and discipline.
  • Moravian Missionaries: In the 18th and 19th centuries, Moravian missionaries introduced brass bands in mission schools. These bands played hymns and European classical music, influencing early music education for Black South Africans.
  • Adaptation and Innovation: Black South Africans adopted and adapted the European marching band tradition, incorporating their own musical sensibilities. Pennywhistles, a readily available instrument, became a prominent feature in “Scottishes” – pennywhistle and drum marching bands popular in the early 20th century.
  • Segregation and Parallel Development: Apartheid led to segregated education systems, with Black schools developing their own unique marching band styles. These bands often served as a source of community pride and resistance against oppression.
  • Kwela: Pennywhistle bands heavily influenced the development of Kwela music, a lively and energetic genre that emerged in the 1940s and 50s. Kwela blended elements of jazz, African rhythms, and European marching band traditions.
  • Marabi: Marabi, a guitar-based genre with its roots in Sophiatown, also drew inspiration from marching bands, incorporating percussion elements and energetic rhythms. This cross-pollination between marching bands and popular music helped shape the unique soundscape of South African music.
  • Performance Opportunities: Marching bands provided a platform for Black South Africans to develop their musical skills and gain performance experience. This contributed to the overall growth of music education in Black schools.
  • Discipline and Teamwork: Marching band participation instilled discipline, teamwork, and a sense of community in students. These values transcended the marching field and influenced broader school culture.

The Legacy: A Celebration of Diversity

The influence of marching bands on South African school music is a story of adaptation, innovation, and resistance. It reflects the complex socio-political history of the country and celebrates the creativity of Black South Africans who used European traditions to build their own vibrant musical identity. Today, marching bands in South African schools continue to evolve, incorporating contemporary music genres alongside traditional elements, creating a rich and diverse musical landscape.

SASBA – South African School & Band Association

  • Best Marimba Band – Westville Girls High
  • Best Ensemble – Hoërskool Oosterland
  • Best Concert Band – Hoërskool Empangeni
  • Best Open Concert Band – Springs Boys’ High School
  • Best Stage Discipline – Hoërskool Empangeni Marimba Band
  • Best Drumline – Springs Boys’ High School
  • Best Parade Band – Hoërskool Oosterland
  • Best Showband – Springs Boys’ High School
  • Best Drum Major – Hoërskool Oosterland
  • Best Field Inspection – Springs Boys’ High School Showband
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