[caption id="attachment_37759" align="alignright" width="260"] LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL: Diminutive drummer Terry-Ann Rossouw, 10, leads the Helenvale Brass Band. Picture: MIKE HOLMES[/caption]
WHEN the Helenvale Brass Band takes to the street the whole neighbourhood comes alive, dancing and singing to their music.
Led by shy drummer Terry-Ann Rossouw, 10, the band performs at 21st birthday parties and other special events, and leads the procession for funerals in the notorious neighbourhood.
Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the band reflected on their journey yesterday.
Band leader Quinton Lawack said the brass band was started by his late father, James, and later led by his brother, Johnathan, before he took over in 2008.
"For my dad the idea was to teach kids in Helenvale how to read and play music. He worked at General Motors at the time and started the project through them. It started out with five members, but today we are a well- rounded 40 with the youngest musician just 10 years old."
When the band marches through the streets of Helenvale, the crowd cheers most for Terry-Ann, a Grade 4 pupil at Alpha Primary school in Gelvandale.
Though shy to talk, she leads the band with precision.
"She was eight years old when she joined the band," Lawack said.
"It took her only six months to learn to play the drums and do it well. Being lead drummer is a big responsibility because you have to give the pace and uphold it.I must say that she does a fantastic job, showing true leadership and a fine aptitude for music."
The Helenvale Brass Band is not just a household name in their neighbourhood, they perform regularly at the Boardwalk and at big rugby matches at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Their events coordinator, 17-year-old Cerwin Adonis, said: "Celebrating our 10th anniversary we have three big events lined up. The first is a battle of the bands in August, the second a fun day in September and the third a thanksgiving service in November."
The band takes pride in the fact that they have never lost a member to gangsterism or drug abuse and other crimes.
"We practise twice a week for 2½ hours and we are readily available whenever our community needs our services. I'd like to believe that we somehow make a difference in Helenvale," Lawack said. - Alvené du Plessis