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Marching Band Battles South African Gang Life

Mike Lawson • News • April 12, 2013

A recent CNN story reported on the thriving Bezzi’s Youth Brass Band, based in Limpopo, South Africa, which utilizes music to get teens involved in the performing arts rather than the danger of youth gangs.A recent CNN story reported on the thriving Bezzi’s Youth Brass Band, based in Limpopo, South Africa, which utilizes music to get teens involved in the performing arts rather than the danger of youth gangs.

The band’s organizer, Janet Bezuidenhout, set up the group three years ago after her nephew tried unsuccessfully to find a local band to join.  Bezuidenhout had been a drum majorette and decided she’d help him start his own band buy buying 10 instruments with her pension fund. By the time he’d called his first meeting, kids from neighboring towns had heard about the band. About 30 boys and girls showed up for the first rehearsal. This year, the band boasts 60 members who share 16 trombones, six side drums, four tubas, and a bass drum.

Read the original story here. 

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