Bands crossing borders: A review of the cooperation between South Africa's Field Band Foundation and Norges Musikkorps Forbund

Abstract

The Bands Crossing Borders project between South Africa’s Field Band Foundation and the Norwegian Band Federation was initiated in 1999 and funded by Fredskorpset. In Norway the project seeks to offer a new perspective on music; facilitate the use of music activity in the Norwegian Band Federation’s work with life skills and social development; and help create an awareness of North-South issues amongst members and the Norwegians in general. In South Africa the projects seeks to build capacity to provide instruction in music for the band members and to develop and strengthen a national learning facility, The Field Band Academy. A review of the project has been undertaken to document results and gain knowledge of factors for successes and failures. Data was collected through desk studies of a range of project documents and other written material. In addition interviews, including focus group discussions, were held with former participants, staff and other stakeholders.