The most amazing field band you will ever see
Through music and dance, the 5 610 youths spread across seven of the country's nine provinces are exposed to potential life-changing opportunities.
The Field Band Foundation is a youth development initiative that uses music and dance to give children the tools they need to improve their lives.
Chief executive officer of the Field Band Foundation (FBF) Nicolette du Plessis explained that the aim of the band is to use the joyful and transformative power of marching bands to prepare self-confident and healthy young people to participate constructively in society. Through music and dance, the 5 610 youths spread across seven of the country’s nine provinces are exposed to potential life-changing opportunities.
Although through the foundation, members are provided with access to opportunities such as bursaries and international travel, they learn that it goes with hard work and commitment. She said, “Our logic is if you have participated in the activities of a field band for a couple of years, it makes you the kind of person who is more likely to be eligible for bursaries and such.”
The members walk away from every band practice and performance with improved life skills such as discipline, teamwork, problem identifying and solving and patience.
Du Plessis was recently informed that the foundation was assessed to be a safe space for children, an achievement that encourages her those working for the band. She acknowledged how vulnerable children are in this country yet being able to provide a space outdoors for thousands of children while avoiding all the potential dangers is a blessing she appreciates.
Not only is the band a safe space in terms of physical and psychological dangers but also for how the members identify themselves. The foundation recognises and respects the intersectionality of people and ensures that their members do too. “Just because someone looks differently, walks differently or learns differently, it doesn’t mean we can’t make a place for them. It doesn’t mean we are trying to make everybody the same but it means there can be a place for everyone.”
The foundation fosters these principles into their members, communities and everyone their cross paths with through the various workshops they host. These include tutor workshops, parent workshops and field band impact survey reports.
They have worked with institutions such as Investec, Growth Point Properties, De Beers SA, Reality Wellness, Childline and even Melville’s Community who helped choreograph a musical piece for the band. “We would never be able to do what we do without our partners. We learn from them, they stand by us we are fortunate and honoured to have them with us.”
It’s like-minded organisations such as these that help provide life skills and much-needed recreation for young people.
The Field Band Foundation would like to work with more partners to create a productive ecosystem of activities that properly aligns with the partners’ development strategies.
They are asking interested individuals and organisations to contact them via any of the following platforms to discuss potential partnerships:
- Telephone: 011 234 9040
- Email: info@fieldband.org.za
- Facebook: @FBF.SA
- Twitter: @FieldBand_sa
