For the past 45 years, Benoni High School (BHS) has maintained a proud pipe band history, going from strength to strength despite the tradition slowly dying.
Currently being the only representative band in Benoni, under the guidance of bandmaster Malcolm Engles, the team has its sights set on winning the Junior Novice title at the South African Championships, in July.
The band, formally introduced at the school as an extramural activity, in 1977 was led by Hilary Webber, who is still actively involved in member tutoring.
Starting with only seven members, the band has grown and transformed but in essence, has remained true to pipe band traditions.
According to Webber, the band’s crowning achievement was winning the 2009 World Championships in Glasgow, following seven previous attempts.
“As the only participating band from South Africa, our band was inducted into the International Pipe Band Association, as well as Commonwealth in 1995 during the World Champs,” said Webber.
“It was a momentous occasion for our members as we were not only representing our country but also a new democratic one.”
Following the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown the band suffered a huge blow as it takes up to five years to fully develop a well-synchronised band – two of which have now been lost as regulations did not permit members to practice together.
Engles, however, is optimistic about the currently active band’s progress which consists of 15 novice members and 15 senior members.
“Many members join the band based on strong family traditions and others may join to fill extramural requirements. Once we start working together the synchronicity binds everyone together and a piping family is born,” said he said.
“Music moves people and there is something about piping that tugs at your soul.
“I think many members also thrive within the strong discipline and regimented nature which makes a pipe band, a band.”
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