GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

NORGES MUSIKKORPS FORBUND: A Note from Stig Ryland, Communications Head, NMF

Since 2001, the Field Band Foundation and the Norges Musikkorps Forbund (NMF) (www.musikkorps.no) been partners in an exchange programme called Bands Crossing Borders, fully financed through FK Norway (www.fredskorpset.no). The NMF is very proud to be involved, particularly because of the life-changing opportunities that it offers to the South African youngsters.  And the programme is not only one sided - in Norway, it has had a huge influence on the way that music is played.

During 2007, a school band in Norway carried out a project aimed at showing how they could be "cool in the street". They wanted to play different music, wear cooler uniforms, and most importantly - move in a different way from the way that Norwegian bands usually do when marching down the street. The school conductor had previously participated in Bands Crossing Borders, and so the project was heavily influenced by what he had learnt from the Field Bands in South Africa. The performance of the new look Norwegian band attracted a lot of attention at the National Day festivities in Oslo on May 17th.

The four South African members of the Field Band (Nolubabalo Piyose, Moira Thomas, Phumezo Hlanganise and Peter Wonci) studying in Norway in 2007/2008 at the Toneheim Folk High School and have spent a considerable amount of time visiting school bands across the length and breadth of Norway. The foursome was particularly enthusiastic about their visit to Alta, one of the northernmost cities in Norway, where they got to experience both eager musicians and cold snow

The Norwegians in South Africa has spent a lot of their time in regions with newly established Field Bands.. The Norwegians have also played an important role in preparing the National Field Band for their Norwegian Tour during June. The six Norwegians working in South Africa last year were Marit Bakken, Ellen Neverdal, Helene Færestrand, Camilla Aasnes Engås, Inger Sofie Haaland and Thomas Kristiansen.

This year NMF is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The organization decided to celebrate with a national festival in Stavanger in June 2008 bands from all over Norway and more than 7000 participants took part in the celebration. The National Field Band was also invited to Stavanger. The festival was a great opportunity to show the Norwegians the importance of the exchange programme and what we have achieved since 2001. And the Field Band's participation was a huge success! The band played and danced together with The King's Guard and in a huge street parade, and they hosted workshops for Norwegian dancers and young musicians. The Field Band's performances will be remembered for a long time, and every member of that band delivered a quality performance. The festival would not have been the same without the Field Band!

To date, 27 FBF members have studied and worked for one year in Norway, and 40 Norwegians have spent a year teaching in the FBF.

VLAMO: A Note from Filip Santy, Strategic Director, Vlamo

Vlamo, (http://www.vlamo.be) the Flemish Association of Music Bands and Musicians, consists of 1 150 associated amateur bands with more than 69 000 members. These bands are very different and varied: winds bands, marching bands, brass bands, pipers, symphonic orchestras, guitar ensembles, accordion orchestras, show bands, drum bands, and so on. The individual musician, who isn’t playing in any kind of band, is even more welcome. Moreover, more and more music academies are becoming Vlamo members.

The Vlamo Knowledge Centre in Ghent houses thousands of music scores, books, magazines and recorded music. Vlamo continuously organises all kinds of continuing music education, for all ages, disciplines and levels, individual and band related. Vlamo is a close friend to bands and offers tailored artistic, technical or organisational support to all its members.

Vlamo is investing in an active partnership with the Field Band Foundation, in order to support the Field Band Foundation and the South African society in their aim to further youth development through music and social skills. Looking back in history, music bands in Flanders/Belgium played the same role: people from a less educated background learned music and got involved in bands as a step in their cultural and social development. Nowadays, the world of show bands in Flanders is an important and healthy cultural movement, where people of all ranks and classes meet. Vlamo wants to share experiences and to learn from each other, through exchanges of youngsters, teachers, judges and musicians. This partnership is supported in a substantial way by the Flemish Government.

PIONEER DRUM CORPS: A Note from Roman Blenski, Executive Director of Pioneer Drum Corps

Pioneer Drum Corps (www.pioneer-corps.org) in Milwaukee, USA, hosted Field Band members Peter Maluleka, Vukile Mabija, Freddy Mondhlana and Stella Molelekwa this northern summer. They served the corps as members of our brass and flag corps sections. From the end of May, through the third week of August there is intensive dedication and commitment on the part of the students as the corps prepares, performs, and competes throughout the United States. Their musical abilities are challenged each day as they work very hard to refine and develop their musical and visual skills. The young people also develop lasting friendships with each other. They come from all over the United States, Canada, Japan, Holland, and South Africa.  Their experiences, both musically and socially, foster the wholesome growth and character of our young members.

During their stay with us the members rehearse every day putting the music together with the marching drill. The purpose for this is to have our field show ready for the first competition of the season. They rehearse from morning till dark with breaks for lunch, dinner, and water breaks. The members are housed at the Wisconsin State Fair’s Tommy Thompson Youth Centre. After that they are on the road travelling in our motor coach buses and competing throughout the United States. They end their season with a competition at the Drum Corps International World championships in Pasadena, California.

FBF NOTE: Thank you Roman and also to Jonathan & Jennifer Oppenheimer for their fantastic help with the air tickets for our youngsters to travel to the USA! This programme would not be possible without your support!

KUNSTFACTOR

Kunstfactor (http://www.kunstfactor.nl) is the national organisation for the development and promotion of the voluntary artsin the Netherlands and, as such, it is an independent pivot between public authorities and the sector. Kunstfactor provides information and advice on voluntary arts in general and is actively involved in training and reflection, quality enhancement and the development of infrastructures in the arts sector. The organisation’s other tasks are research, documentation, archiving, liaison and coordination. Kunstfactor is a key discussion partner for national and local authorities, policy makers and opinion makers and stimulates the debate on the significance of the voluntary arts.