By Fiona Gounden
The South African Army band has shaken off the old uptight, military march images and can now rock with the best.
The history of the army band dates back many decades. It all started off with the 121 Batallion's army band at Mtubatuba and the SANDF with their navy band in Durban, which were both formed about 33 years ago.
Over the years, the army band at Mtubatuba became less active and the members were transferred to Durban in 2001. While some left the band, others came to Durban hoping to carry on playing.
At about the same time, the navy in Durban began to rationalise troop numbers and, soon afterwards, the naval band in Durban closed down. People who still wanted to be in a band were given a chance to go to Cape Town to join the band there, which some did.
However, some music lovers from both the Durban bands stayed and persisted playing. Since then, the band has reformed and is now going strong - and for the first time it includes people from all races.
Warrant officer Major Gerald Seekola, who is the director of music and leader of the band, said: "Since taking over as director I have been introduced to some of the most talented artists. The people here are a mixture of former army and navy members. We play different kinds of music, ranging from military to classics, from Frank Sinatra to modern music."
Major Vuma Gebashe, the band master, said they were glad the arrival of new members had given rise to this multi-racial band. "We want to break that mindset that an army band consists of uptight people who play rigid military tunes. Our diverse music appeals to all South Africans."
The military band considers themselves superior to other bands as they have a unique array of instruments. The brass instuments are the trombones, uphonium and trumpets and horns.
The woodwinds consists of flutes, picallo, clarinets and alto saxophones. They have three unique sections: the percussion, brass and horns. All members of the band can read music and are experts on their chosen instruments.
"Our goals by the end of this year include being accessible to the community. We have always been branded as playing Western music. We now want to play music that will cater for the different ethnic groups in our rainbow nation," said Seekola.
The band performs at military functions, fundraisers and civilian concerts. They have been to the Eastern Cape, Kimberley and major events at the Absa Stadium.
One of the highlights was being summoned by the president to perform at Freedom Day celebrations.