Like the sweet waters that are Amanzimtoti, so too are the melodies put together by De La Salle Combined Pipe Band.
The band recently took part in the South Coast Highland Gathering in Amanzimtoti where they placed first in the Medley of Marches and March Strathspey and Reel contests. This made them the winners of the Grade Four competition
The band’s mid-section tutor Lynne van den Berg said preparation for such events was done both individually and collectively, with all the musicians required to practise on their own at home. She added this was important as it increased the band’s repertoire, helping pipers learn harmonies and snare drummers learn their ‘chip in’ pieces.
“When we rehearse together, twice or sometimes three times a week, we focus on playing as one grand instrument.” Van der Berg said for the band members to get the ‘feel’ of the music they were required to mostly play the same notation at the same time, so precision was very important.
From an early age, Van den Berg knew she’d be part of a marching band. “As a teenage girl, I was refused participation in my high school cadet band. However, the school started a pipe band and I was very attracted to playing the tenor drum.” She described the tenor drummers as having a dual role – first, they are part of the timekeepers (mid-section) and second, they use flourishes to embellish the music while they spin their mallets (device used by a percussion player to strike the instrument). “I like to call it ‘dancing with our arms’. We also have fun by tuning our drums to different notes and splitting up the music between the tenor drummers.”
What sets bagpipes apart in her opinion was their unique sound which drew people in. Van Den Berg has seen how even people with no Scottish heritage seem to be profoundly touched by bagpipes, sometimes even getting emotional or getting up to dance to the sounds.
The De La Salle Combined Band gets its name from having both learners of the college and adults as members. They are the official band attached to the school and have been part of this school community for 50 years. Van den Berg hoped they could form a De La Salle Pipe Band which would consist of learners only and would compete at the juvenile level.
She recognised the proud history of the band. “There are not many schools in a position to offer a pipe band as part of their extramural activities.”
She sees playing in a pipe band as a unique opportunity and a pastime that one could continue for the rest of one’s life. It also gave band members the chance to make lifelong friendships in the South African pipe band community and the world.
Related Article:
