ST.

TIMOTHYS CHRISTMAS BAND

1972- 2012

1. INTRODUCTION
St. Timothys Christmas Band is a Christian
Community Based Non-Profit Organization
situated in Factreton, Kensington (Cape Town).
It is an affiliate member of Elsies River & District
Christmas Bands Unions as well as an affiliate
member of the South African United Christmas
Bands Board. The bands motto is Faith, Love &
Hope. As of the 31st of October 2012 the band
had 52 members registered on its books.

2. BRIEF HISTORY
In 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 spread
out the Gospel through music in the community and its surrounding areas. Later that
same year, the band obtained permission from the then priest of the Anglican Church
in Factreton, Father MacBride to use the churchs name for its own identity. The band
was ordained in December of 1972 as St. Timothys Christmas String Band.

The 1st Senior Squad (1972)-incl. Founding Members

The 1st Tiny Tots/Junior Squad (1972)

From 1972 to 1998, the band competed in all Union and Board Competitions and was also
one of the few bands that managed to go out in a new uniform each year. This was largely
due to their working committee at the time which consisted of the mothers/ wives of
members within the band. The advantage of a new uniform annually, resulted in the bands
reputation being enhanced as it would in this period; dominate the Best Dressed Sections in
all competitions which it participated in. Furthermore, the band also had a reputation to
clinch all the junior titles of the Marching Section of Competitions. Unfortunately the only
weakness of the band- which would later catch up with it- was that it did not commit to
develop younger musicians as at the time, to make music was seen as privilege to senior
members only. As a result in 1998, when most of the older musicians had passed away, the
bands 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 and
would be able to retain its establishment date (1972).

3. (2004) THE BAND RE-OPENS

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

2004- The new St. Timothys Christmas Band is born

For the next 4 years, the band would have to learn to find its feet as there were only
4 members left of the previous choir that had any experience in the sport. They
would however not disgrace themselves finishing a respectable 3 rd place overall in
Union Competitions during this period.
4. 2008 RETURN TO ELSIES RIVER UNION
In 2008, after an emergency meeting held with Elsies River & District XB
Union, the band returned to the Union which it had always been affiliated to.

5. PRESENT DAY SUCCESSES (2008 PRESENT)

Since competing in its first completion in Elsies River Christmas Bands Union in 2009, which

by the way, has the most members in the Board, the band has had no less than 50
trophies to shown for its efforts.

In the South African United Christmas Bands Board Competitions however which
consists of approximately 2100 members across 36 bands, its successes have been
far 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 (Elsies
River Union Band) at the 2010 Fifa World Cup Fan Parks, beating 68 other bands
over various disciplines (etc. Coons; Malay choirs; street bands and professional
bands) 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 2009 the band adopted its new name St. Timothys Christmas Band.

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

The bands musical talents can be only be attributed to their continuous commitment
to develop and enhance their musical skills as it has one of the most rigorous music
training programs amongst Christmas Bands running from the 10th of January each
year until the 24th of December every year.

Xmas Eve 2009

Senior Grand March Pass (SA Navy Judging)

Riversdale (2010) Board Competition - juniors

4th Place overall (SA Board) - 2009

PRESENT DAY PICTURES (2009-2012)

2010 Junior Champs & 3rd Place

overall at SA Board Champs. In
Worcester with 5-man Band.

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

6. AWARDS EVENING
In 2010, the choir decided to introduce an awards evening to honour the hard work
of all members in the choir and in the band. The primary purpose of the event is to
serve as motivation amongst members and to instil a sense of positive
competitiveness. On Saturday the 08th of December 2012 in Kensington Civic Centre
the awards evening of the choir also coincided with its 40th year anniversary.