BBJ sends band trainer to Surabaya!

On Friday May 17, 2013 BBJ sent the first of a series of band trainers to Surabaya to form a brass band at a Salvation Army corps (church) in the city. Tuba player Fernando Kaloko (Nando) will spend up to two years teaching music to church members in his spare time while working in the East Javanese city. 

Nando was accompanied by BBJ deputy bandmaster Erjoin Marbun, who officially handed over second hand musical instruments purchased in Singapore to local leaders. These instruments have been provided on loan. Should the project at Corps 4 be successful, they will then be donated to the church. 

Trombone player Sekhi will be joining Nando in Surabaya at the end of June. Like Nando, he will also be working in Surabaya and teaching music in his spare time. Three BBJ cornet players are scheduled to join Nando and Sekhi in October. Erjoin returned to Medan on May 20. 

BBJ tuba player Lasnointer Marbun is already in the process of establishing an SA band in Yogyakarta. Read about it here. 

Music Exams

Special auditions were held on Feb 1,2 & 3 2013 for members of the beginners band and the senior band. BBJ beginners band members were tested for  entry into the junior band, while junior band members were hoping to gain entry into the senior band. Each candidate had to pass a theory and practical test.

Of the 12 beginners band members, all but one was promoted. 14 out of 17 junior band members also made it into the senior band. Supplementary tests held in May for those who did not make the grade resulted in several more being accepted.

Newly promoted junior and senior band members got their membership badges at a special ceremony during the church service on March 3.

In June (2013), BBJ opens registration in Medan for all those interested in joining another beginners band. Large numbers are expected to sign up for the limited places! 

BBJ Christmas Carolling 2012

BBJ began Christmas carolling on December 9th with a performance at Medan's Sun Plaza watched by a large crowd of shoppers. There will also be performances at Hermes Place hotel on December 13th and 20th 

Successful Concert!

BBJ's concert on July 14 2012 included special performances by the Salvation Army's Adelaide Congress Hall (ACH) Band. After a joint concert at Medan's Emerald Garden Hotel, the two bands travelled to Parapat (Lake Toba) for a second performance on July 16. Other activities involving ACH included separate music exchanges with BBJ's junior and senior bands. You can see pictures of the concert in Medan, as well as the band's trip to Lake Toba with ACH, in the photo gallery.

Click here to read more about the July 14 concert.