Wynberg-based St Joseph’s Christmas Band celebrated its 87th anniversary at their annual thanksgiving service at the Assemblies of God church, in Strandfontein, on Saturday, April 21.
The band members are from across the Western Cape, including Retreat, Steenberg, Lavender Hill, Parkwood, Heathfield, Mitchell’s Plain, Athlone, Valhalla Park and Bonteheuwel.
Albert September, 79, chairperson and his second cousin Ivan September, 83, president, shared their experiences and history of the popular band.
Albert said the thanksgiving service was successful and they were “blessed with beautiful weather”.
Albert said certificates were handed to all members for their dedication during the past Christmas band season.
“One of the highlights was the musical items rendered by the three bands present, namely Valiant Hearts, Palm Crusaders and St Joseph’s and then a combined musical item. The Wallace Witbooi Award was awarded to our musical director Franklin Le Keur.”
Albert said they practise and have meetings in Grassy Park with 95 registered members this season. “We do not say we are the best band but what I can say is that we play a unique type of music which draws competent members from other bands to join us.
“Our objectives have always been to be involved in community outreached programmes, for example, during our season which starts in December we perform at Christmas carols events, at old age homes, funerals when requested, and at all the areas where our elder members reside without charging.”
Ivan said he joined his father Andrew’s band, in Wynberg, when he was 8 years old. “My neighbour Wallace Witbooi, was 9 years old. Then a friend, Peter Nobel, 11, joined and together we formed the junior choir. And more people came to join.”
Ivan said Wallace could play the violin and the banjo and he was the only one who could read music. “At the age of 16 Wallace taught the older guys how to read music.”
He said: “Music was not my thing. I loved soccer and other sports. I did not play any other instrument but the guitar. I tried to play other instruments but the guitar stayed in my line. My dad played the violin.”
The band is still popular among the girls and boys and Ivan said it is important to encourage the youth to play music. “We train our youngsters so well and they are able to play in the Army band, Navy band and Correctional Services band,” he said.
“We accommodate different faiths and cultures and we play at churches, hospitals and old homes because I think music brings people together.”
The St Joseph’s Christmas band started when two cousins Johannes September and Andrew September, Albert and Ivan’s fathers, respectively, stayed in Spillersdorp, Constantia, where they grew up.
They found themselves in a choir but could not as yet play any instruments. In 1931 when Johannes was 10 years old and Andrew 15 years old, they went from house to house over the festive season to render Christmas carols and sang at church functions.
Albert said: “They got fed-up just singing and at the age of 15 and 20 respectively they both went for violin lessons, in 1936. In the same year, they started their own Christmas band called St Joseph’s Christmas band, in Spillersdorp.
In 1940, they moved the band to Newlands and for three years the band did not show growth in membership. The other band members were not consistent in attending meetings and activities.
“Meanwhile, in 1940, Andrew got married and Johannes got married in 1942. At the time Johannes could also play the banjo. The duo moved to Brentwood Road, Wynberg, with their wives and they decided to move the band to Wynberg as well,” said Albert.
After the move to Wynberg, the band showed growth in membership. Johannes then learnt to play the saxophone, the first in the band.
“Andrew passed away in 2004 and Johannes passed away in 2015,” said Albert.
The band currently consists of male,, females juniors and tiny tots, with the oldest 83, and the youngest two years old. “We competed in two competitions this year, annexing a total of 35 awards and in the first one we competed in we were the overall winners: winning the senior junior and tiny tot section. We have a total of 60 instruments and run a junior academy teaching the youth to read music,” said Albert.
“The main objective for the next three years is to develop a youth band inclusive of senior and junior squads to be able to compete in competitions in the grand march events,” said Albert.
Anyone who wants to join can contact Albert September 072 817 3488.