Birchleigh Field Band celebrates year of growth

The Birchleigh Field Band had one of its most successful years in 2025; a journey filled with excitement, productivity and emotion.
Teamwork, strong parental involvement, and consistent member commitment were central to their achievements.

Some standout moments:

• The Con Amore Field Band opening the Valuable 500 Africa Summit 2025 at the Houghton Hotel;
• Birchleigh learner Nozipho Khanyisile Masimula’s participation in the Chords of Community exchange programme in Norway;
• The band’s victory in the steering committee category of the 2025 National Championships.

“The band’s musical and marching skills have significantly improved since the beginning of the year. Their recent performances demonstrated flair and growth. In fact, some members even participated in national championships,” said Birchleigh Field Band project officer Paseka Batshegi.

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The band also excelled in instrumental group and individual performances at Con Amore in August, as well as at the national championships in October.

Despite these successes, the year was not without obstacles. One of the band’s ongoing challenges is noise complaints from the community, with residents often misinterpreting their practice sessions as disturbances.

Securing a suitable venue for camps and managing low attendance during school holidays, which affected productivity, were also recurring difficulties.

Even so, the band pushed forward, producing high-quality performances and maintaining their energy throughout the year.

On the Con Amore side, there were further triumphs:
• Twelve dancers and their tutor completed dance tuition and exams;

• A group of musicians completed the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examinations for the first time.

“The band became more inclusive this year by recruiting external members from Tembisa, who were keen to learn life skills through music.

“Con Amore had an incredible experience at the Valuable 500 Africa Summit 2025, where they performed alongside a marimba band.

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“Another highlight was participating in a GBV and domestic violence awareness march, reflecting our commitment to social causes,” Batshegi said.

The performance at the Ward 19 Classic Market Day in the CoE added further visibility to their work.

Community support played a vital role throughout the year. Residents regularly provided refreshments for rehearsals and events, small acts of kindness that boosted morale and strengthened the bond between the band and its supporters.

Invitations to perform at community events also helped raise awareness of what the field band movement represents.

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Throughout 2025, members were involved in several development programmes.

Two tutors in training attended a workshop early in the year, followed by three more, who completed intensive training during the June/July school holidays.

Five members tackled the ABRSM exams, while 12 dancers completed their respective dance exams.

A milestone was Masimula’s selection to travel to Norway for the Chords of Community exchange programme.

“This opportunity exposed her to new teaching styles, advanced musical techniques and a vibrant international community of young musicians.

“She represented our band with maturity, skill and passion. Her journey elevated our reputation and proved that our members can shine on global stages,” Batshegi said.

The national championships were another key motivator, with members uniting behind a shared goal to perform at their best.
Practice, collective spirit and the thrill of competition kept energy levels high throughout the year.

“In 2025, our spirit was defined by dedication, resilience and community. Members supported one another through challenges and celebrated every success.

“Mutual respect, clear communication and a shared passion for music kept the band strong,” said Batshegi.

He added that some of the toughest moments came when stakeholders’ decisions hindered plans, forcing the band to find alternative solutions that limited their execution.

“We are learning to prepare earlier, communicate more effectively and avoid focusing too narrowly on single tasks.”

Some of their goals for 2026:
• Delivering a spectacular show;
• Winning the national championship;
• Increasing membership;
• Providing more opportunities for members to grow.
The band plans to expand recruitment at schools in Birchleigh and work more closely with school governing bodies, teachers and principals.
The Birchleigh Field Band thanked the community for its continued support, “Your contributions play a vital role in advancing our mission, and we are honoured to have you as valued partners,” the band said.