NEWS

FIELD BAND

NPO percussionist Bryan Clarke has now moved away from actively being invol-ved with the Steel Drum Foundation al-though he will continue to co-ordinate it. He will now lead the Field Band project.

The Field Band is a total musical community experience for young people to be performed in any large arena. It originated in America after the Second World War as a way of keeping children productive after school.

"The idea is to have a marching band in the middle of a field with bass drums, snare drums and trumpets. They'll counter march, split up, making squares and circles," he says. "In front we'll have a marimba band, steel drum band and more percussion and at the back and around we will have people dancing with flags and ribbons."

NETWORK

In every community, such as Chats-worth, KwaMashu, Clermont, Umlazi, Central Durban, etc., a network will be set up of parents who can make uniforms and help raise sponsorship.

"It's an ongoing educational and social awareness project," adds Bryan. "Pretty soon, you'll see us marching at the rugby or the soccer. Splinter units will develop to appear at the cricket with marimba groups possibly playing for guests as they arrive at the ICC Hilton.

"The real idea is a community involve-ment through music and movement. And although I will be giving direction and organising sponsorship, parents will need to be involved in positions such as chaperones. Current players will teach new ones and so it will develop."

To celebrate their 100 year anniversary, PG Glass has pledged R6 million over three years to the Field Band project. "So, all equipment is top notch, state of the art and there's a budget for the bands to work with," says Bryan happily.

NEDBANK LAKE MUSIC

The highly popular classical music concerts in the beautiful surroundings of the Durban Botanic Gardens are secure for 1997 with renewed support from Nedbank for the Friends of the Durban Botanic Gardens.

The Nedbank Music at the Lake series is a major thrust in the Friends of the Durban Botanic Gardens' fundraising drive to raise money for various projects.

Here the public can enjoy the magni-ficence of a full orchestra in equally magnificent botanic surroundings.

THRUST

The lake concerts reflect a vital thrust for Nedbank, founder of the Arts and Cul-ture Trust of the President, says Dr Ivan May, assistant general manager of Nedbank marketing. "Nedbank firmly believes that business should do every-thing it can to support the effort of the NPO, and indeed, all South Africa's orchestras. This support is not charity, it is a fundamental part of the culture of all South Africans, and one of which we should be immensely proud. We fully en-dorse and support the efforts of classical musicians to maintain their orchestras."

INSTRUMENTAL

Nedbank was instrumental in establishing the Arts and Culture Trust of the President (ACT), which aims to nurture and support exemplary and develop-mental arts and culture projects.

The aim of the Durban Botanic Gardens is to bring education and expertise to the Durban community through a resource and education centre where disadvan-taged children can develop an under-standing of fundamental natural sciences.

The dates for the 1997 Nedbank Music at the Lake concerts are April 20, May 11, June 8, August 10 and October 12.

There will also be a Mozart Moonlight Concert on August 19 and a Nedbank Carols by Candlelight on December 22.

A performance of Handel's Messiah will take place during the year, dates still to be confirmed.

Ticket prices for Lake concerts are R20 (students and senior citizens R12).

ENGLISH SINGERS

The St Paul's Art Society presents the English Concert Singers on April 5 at 17h00 at St Paul's Church.

Musical director Roy Wales and pianist Joyce Woodhead lead a programme of music by Monteverdi, Palestrina, Bach and Mozart as well as a wide range of international songs from all over the world. Tickets are R15 (R10 for pensioners and students) at the door.

GOT A PIANO?

The new Kwasuka Theatre which opens this month in Stamford Hill Road, Greyville, is beautifully appointed from a furnishing viewpoint and has top notch sound and lighting equipment.

The only thing it doesn't have is a piano for rehearsal purposes.

Theatre director Pieter Scholtz is appealing to anyone who may have a good piano that they no longer use to consider donating it to the theatre. The piano would be treated with much love, care and respect. If fact, there's room for two! Interested donors should contact Pieter on 81-1617.

BHAJANS EVENING

On April 12 the Playhouse Company's education and development department will present an evening of Bhajans in the Playhouse Grand Foyer.

Beginning promptly at 19h00, the concert will feature such acclaimed Bhajan performers as Sangeetha Pant from Madras; popular local singer Karthiegasen Pillay, and a group led by Pragasen Naidoo. Tickets cost R10 and can be bought at the door or by contacting Anriette Chorn on 369-9440.