7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

1/6

ST. TIMOTHYS CHRISTMAS BAND1972- 2012

1. INTRODUCTION

St. Timothys Christmas Band is a ChristianCommunity Based Non-Profit Organizationsituated in Factreton, Kensington (Cape Town).

It is an affiliate member of Elsies River & DistrictChristmas Bands Unions as well as an affiliatemember of the South African United ChristmasBands Board. The bands motto is Faith, Love &Hope.As of the 31stof October 2012 the bandhad 52 members registered on its books.

2. BRIEF HISTORYIn April 1972, 6 men (Mr. A. Jochems; Mr. W. Warnick; Mr. W. Solomons; Mr. E.Fisher; Mr. E. Syders and Mr. C. Kleynhans) from various different backgrounds

decided to establish an organization whose primary purpose it would be to spreadout the Gospel through music in the community and its surrounding areas. Later thatsame year, the band obtained permission from the then priest of the Anglican Churchin Factreton, Father MacBride to use the churchs name for its own identity. The bandwas ordained in December of 1972 as St. Timothys Christmas String Band.

The 1stSenior Squad (1972)-incl. Found ing Members The 1stTiny Tots/Ju nior Squ ad (1972)

From 1972 to 1998, the band competed in all Union and Board Competitions and was alsoone of the few bands that managed to go out in a new uniform each year. This was largelydue to their working committee at the time which consisted of the mothers/ wives ofmembers within the band. The advantage of a new uniform annually, resulted in the bandsreputation being enhanced as it would in this period; dominate the Best Dressed Sections inall competitions which it participated in. Furthermore, the band also had a reputation toclinch all the junior titles of the Marching Section of Competitions. Unfortunately the onlyweakness of the band- which would later catch up with it- was that it did not commit todevelop younger musicians as at the time, to make music was seen as privilege to seniormembers only. As a result in 1998, when most of the older musicians had passed away, thebands activities had to be halted. The band was declared dormant (inactive) by its then

affiliated Union (Elsies River & District) until such time it would be able to function again andwould be able to retain its establishment date (1972).

7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

2/6

7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

3/6

3. (2004)THE BAND RE-OPENS

In 2003, a couple of youngsters came together with one senior (Marco Jochems) anddecided to re-open the band. The band would compete in 2004 in its first Unioncompetition since re-openingthis time however, unknowingly in a different Unionnamely Tygerberg & District Christmas Bands Union.

2004- The new St. TimothysChr istmas Band is born

For the next 4 years, the band would have to learn to find its feet as there were only4 members left of the previous choir that had any experience in the sport. Theywould however not disgrace themselves finishing a respectable 3rdplace overall inUnion Competitions during this period.

4. 2008RETURN TO ELSIES RIVER UNIONIn 2008, after an emergency meeting held with Elsies River & District XBUnion, the band returned to the Union which it had always been affiliated to.

7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

4/6

5. PRESENT DAY SUCCESSES (2008PRESENT)

Since competing in its first completion in Elsies River Christmas Bands Union in 2009, whichby the way, has the most members in the Board, the band has had no less than 50trophies to shown for its efforts.

In the South African United Christmas Bands Board Competitions however whichconsists of approximately 2100 members across 36 bands, its successes have beenfar greater, obtaining no fewer than 2 TOP 5 positions in 2009 & 2010 and 2 overall

championship titles in the B-Division in 2011 and 2012.

In 2010, a few of the bands members participated as part of a larger group (ElsiesRiver Union Band) at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Fan Parks, beating 68 other bandsover various disciplines (etc. Coons; Malay choirs; street bands and professionalbands) to have this privilege.

The band itself has greater diversity than its predecessor of 1972, consisting of 95%juniors, 68% female members and comes from 8 different church denominations.

In 2009the band adopted its new name St. Timothys Christmas Band.

Furthermore it is the only band in the community that is able to perform at anyfunctions, e.g. weddings; funerals; birthday parties; church functions orfundraisers/concerts as its genre appeals to the majority of people within theircommunity and other surrounding areas.

The bands musical talents can be only be attributed to their continuous commitmentto develop and enhance their musical skills as it has one of the most rigorous musictraining programs amongst Christmas Bandsrunning from the 10thof January eachyear until the 24thof December every year.

Xmas Eve 2009 Riversdale (2010) Bo ard Competit ion - junio rs

Senior Grand March Pass (SA Navy Judg ing) 4thPlace overall (SA B oard) - 2009

7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

5/6

PRESENT DAY PICTURES (2009-2012)

2010Junior Champs & 3rdPlaceoveral l at SA Bo ard Champs. In

Worcester with 5-man Band.

SOUTH AFRICAN CHRISTMAS BANDS BOARD CHAMPIONS 2011; 2012 & 2013PHOTO TAKEN 15/04/2012

7/23/2019 Brief History 3- St. Timothy's

6/6

6. AWARDS EVENING

In 2010, the choir decided to introduce an awards evening to honour the hard workof all members in the choir and in the band. The primary purpose of the event is toserve as motivation amongst members and to instil a sense of positivecompetitiveness. On Saturday the 08thof December 2012 in Kensington Civic Centrethe awards evening of the choir also coincided with its 40thyear anniversary.