STAR OF GLAD TIDINGS
HISTORY OF STAR OF GLAD TIDINGS XMAS BAND
The initial idea for the formation of Star of Glad Tidings started with Joey Adams who came to the fore from a Jazz Band background. He regularly played for Universal Pilgrims Xmas Band who were affiliated to the Elsies River Xmas Band Union. Unfortunately, the band did not last long, and was declared defunct by 1959. This is where he decided to start his own band and started to recruit family and friends to realize his dream. On 7th February 1959, he managed to get nine persons together at the house of the late Abraham and Joanie Baartman (Joey’s sisters house) in Zelda Street, Elsies River.
The members present were: Joey Adams, Stanley Baartman, Johnny Festus (Joey’s brother-in-law), Basil Baartman, A Danster, F Appels, J Cedras and two juniors namely Colin Baartman and Eddie Claassen. They brainstormed the idea of a motto, and after much deliberation chose “Goodwill to Good Men”. Membership grew as time progressed with the joining of Joos Viljoen, Niklaas Hendricks, Freek Viljoen, Paul De Wet and Willie Afrika.
In 1960 the Band affiliated to the Wynberg and District Xmas Band Union where it participated in it’s first competition at Union level without being fully attired. This was a very difficult time, because members were not well schooled, and did not earn much, but they managed to save and acquired proper clothing with the next competition. The colours were: Blue jacket with a thin white stripe, White Panama hat, grey trousers, and white shoes. We paraded the sandy streets of Elsies River every Sunday when possible, Christmas Eve’s from midnight till 9:00am on Christmas morning. To complete the day, we would gather again at 12:00 noon to start the afternoon session, and we only made use of public transportation in those days.
For many years thereafter clothing remained a problem. The senior total at the time was thirteen, and the juniors totalled seven. The Union changed their Constitution around our Band, which was the smallest band in total, to accommodate us, and also to encouraged us to concentrate on attire and recruiting more members.
The laws were respected by all Band’s including: Wynberg Progress, Good Hope, Young Christians, Young Guiding Stars, Rose of Sharon, Young Methodist and Star of Glad Tidings. Very often we suffered adversity in the sense that we were not fully attired or could not field thirteen members on the day of completion. We were disqualified a few times in the last General Meeting of the Board before the competition, because all Bands had to report on their final preparations with regards to the forthcoming competition.
With that being said, we continued with our preparations as if there were no consequences that awaited us. For the love of our sport, we accepted rules and regulations out of respect for the Constitution. For many years we were dominant in the Solo Section and always ended up in first three positions. Other times because of disqualification, we came home with just a Best Behaved Trophy. We felt bad, but just the opportunity to be part of the competition gave us huge satisfaction.
As a result of travelling expenses which we could not afford, we decided to resign from Wynberg Xmas Band Union in 1976, and successfully affiliated to Elsies River and District Xmas Band Union on 26th September of that same year, and to this day, we are still a bona-fide member of the same Union.
In the mid 80’s we were confronted by huge problems of members who were not interested, dwindling numbers in membership and a huge lack of cooperation. This prevented the band in parading on Christmas Day and non-participation in the next Union competition. What really struck me as a young member, was that I was asked to open the competition, whilst my Band was absent. I could not bear the situation and had to find an excuse to run away. On route home, I decided to call a meeting the next Sunday, which resulted in a turn-around stance with regards to the existence of the Band.
Members’ who kept this Band operational are: Desmond Baartman, Colin Baartman, Stanley Baartman, Eddie Mawoesa, Abraham Memphis, Joseph Viljoen, Freek Viljoen, Joey Adams, Niklaas Hendricks, Samuel van Wyk. Many of them have passed on, but we are proud today to be called the four time SAUCBB – B Section -Competition Champions. This record is set and will be difficult to be equalled in future.
WYNBERG PROGRESS CHRISTMAS BAND
INTRODUCTION
The Wynberg Progress Christmas Band was originally started 1915 as a singing group performing traditional Christmas carols on Christmas Eve in residential areas. In 1922, stringed instruments such as violins, guitars and banjoes were introduced into their repertoire. With a fresh outlook and expansion of the membership of musicians, woodwind and brass instruments were later included. This resulted in the official establishment of the Wynberg Progress Christmas Band during the latter part of 1925.
The Wynberg Progress Christmas Band is a community – based organization. It’s prime function is to promote the spreading of the Gospel through the medium of music and offering musical training to the members of the community.
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES & COMPETITIONS
The Band has their customary parades on Christmas Eve and over the festive season respectively and also participates in the Annual Union & Board Competitions where members collectively have to perform a prescribed piece of music for both Senior and Junior sections including a drilling and marching sequence. Other engagements include performances at church and social functions whenever invitations are received.
STRUCTURES
The day to day activities of the Band are directed by members of the Executive Body under the leadership of a Chairperson who manages the overall functioning, responsibilities and discipline with the assistance of the delegated officials responsible for each section.
MEMBERSHIP
The membership is open to persons of all denominations who are willing to comply with the constitutional regulations and policies of the Band. Our membership comprises of Seniors, Juniors and Tiny Tots. Persons wishing to join the Band may contact the Secretary or the Chairperson on the following numbers:
Secretary: 082 879 9652
Chairperson: 083 331 9332
