Botswana Society For Jazz Education
Learning, Playing, Sharing.A platform for jazz musicians and aspiring jazz musicians to grow, to share ideas and document their work; assuring the growth & development of jazz in Botswana.
Quick Info
Sponsor
We welcome all sponsors, from individuals who love music and the creative arts, to corporates and foundations wanting to make a difference.
We always require more instruments (cash or kind), as well as financial donations for our programs and initiatives.
Volunteer
Volunteers are welcome in our society. If you can teach music or an instrument, or if you want to help with transportation, or can volunteer your professional expertise a few hours a month, we would be happy for you to be a part of our team.
Membership
Registration form for membership in our society.
Registration form to join one of our Jazz Bands.
Feel free to contact us for more info.
Book Our Band
Our bands are available for booking for your events. Please contact us on 75150718 or 3110651 or email bosjebw@gmail.com.
About BOSJE
Botswana Society For Jazz Education was formed to create a platform for jazz musicians and aspiring jazz musicians to grow, to share ideas and even have their work documented.
As a society, we have realized a need for jazz education. There is also no documentation about jazz in Botswana, which makes it difficult for both teachers and students when it comes to teaching and learning about jazz as there is no local content to refer to.
The society exists to also runs workshops and hosts festivals and exchange programs.
BOSJE main objectives are:
- To assure the growth of Jazz in Botswana and development of jazz education.
- To build jazz community by advancing education and research
- To document, preserve and archive our Botswana jazz heritage.
- To promote skills development and performance through jazz camps, exchange programs and jazz shows and festivals
- To develop new audiences.
Our BANDS
THE BOSJE senior BIG BAND
This Botswana Society For Jazz Education senior big band was put together in January 2017 with the leadership of our Australian friend Mr Frank Piscioneri. The band was composed of all the members of the society who could read music and play instruments, playing music from the big band charts that Mr Piscioneri brought along with from Australia. The band’s first performance was at the first International Jazz Day celebrations that the society hosted on 30th April at The No 1 ladies Coffee house in Thapong.
BOSJE Senior Band’s Live Performance at Sir Ketumile Masire foundation annual dinner Gala
THE BOSJE JUNIOR BIG BAND
This band was put together in April 2019 with the leadership of Ms Akhutleleng Mogami. The band consists of young people aged 25 and below who are members of our society.
After the band was assembled, it immediately received an invitation to the Langnau Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The band made their debut performance in Langnau and since then formed a partnership with the Langau Jazz Nights where the band was going to be a guest again in July 2020 before the festival was cancelled due to Covid 19.
Visit Langnau Jazz Festival website: www.jazz-nights.ch
langnau jazz nights
BOSJE Junior Band’s live performance in Switzerland
Our Projects
1. BIG BANDS IN BOTSWANA PROJECT
The Big Bands in Botswana project was funded by the US embassy in Botswana through the Ambassadors self-help grant in 2018. The project started in February 2018 teaching young people from Bontleng community how to play musical instruments and play jazz music. Volunteers from our society also came on board to teach and assist with preparations for classes, as well as assisting with transportation of the equipment. Volunteering teachers are mostly members of the big band as well as music teachers from Kingdom Arts Academy.
The anticipated result of this project is to bring social change through music as well as a sense of belonging for the youth. Young people who are involved in this project will achieve the following:
Benefits of Big Bands In Botswana
It will help them develop a sense of achievement: Learning to play music on a new instrument can be a challenging, but achievable goal. Students who master even the smallest goal in music will be able to feel proud of their achievement
It helps children stay engaged in school: Music is an enjoyable thing that can keep children interested and engaged. Student musicians are likely to stay in school and achieve in other subjects.
Success in society: Music is the fabric of our society, and it can shape abilities and character, students in bands are less likely to abuse substance over their life time.
Helps with discipline: Students who learn to play an instrument can learn a valuable lesson in They will have to set time aside to practice and rise to the challenge of learning with discipline to master playing their instrument.
It helps with development in creative thinking: Students who learn music can learn to think This kind of education can help them solve problems by thinking outside the box and realizing that there may be more than one right answer.
It helps students learn teamwork: Many musical education programs require teamwork as part of a band .In these groups, students will learn how to work together and build camaraderie.
It helps with responsible risk taking: Performing a musical piece can bring fear and anxiety. Doing so teaches students how to take a risk and deal with fear, which will help them become successful and reach their potential.
It helps with better self-confidence: With encouragement from teachers and parents, students playing a musical instrument can build pride and confidence. Musical education is also likely to develop better communication for student
2. International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day is an International Day declared by UNESCO to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. It is celebrated annually on April 30. Botswana Society For Jazz Education has been hosting this event in Botswana since 2017.
The events usually attract students from schools offering music and the general public. There are various workshops conducted a few days before the main concert which is on the 30th of April.
3. Camp her
In 2021 on the 28th of August we held an event themed HER in commemoration of the Women’s month celebrated in the month of August in different parts of the world. The event was grace by amazing female local artist that are well vested in the art of music, specifically Jazz.
We enjoyed music by the amazing vocalist Samantha Mogwe, the sensational saxophonist Sebaga, lead guitarist Jonjobike, bassist Filwe Mbagi, the celestial soprano Tshenolo and the ever so afrocentric Ms. Abbey.
We are currently planning this year’s HER event which will be one of a kind so we urge you to be on the lookout for details.
Be part of the next CampHER
21-27th August 2023
Click below to register and attend the CampHer workshops.
Get in Touch
Phone & Email
t: (+267) 311 0651
c: (+267) 75 150 718
e: bosjebw@gmail.com
Location
Plot No. 1268
Luthuli Road
Thusanyo House
Gaborone, Botswana
Postal Address
P.O. Box 106 AAD
Gaborone
Botswana
Our Sponsors
IMPACT
Word on the Streets
“BOSJE has groomed me into a professional musician with the confidence to perform in front of a huge audience but locally and internationally. The society has awarded me to opportunity to learn how to read and play Jazz as well as work with musicians from all walks of life.”
“The society has created opportunities that allowed me not only to interact but also to play with international artists and international platforms. From all the knowledge and skills in my Saxophone and Flute playing that I have acquired from or through BOSJE, the greatest of all is how to express and use my talent as an income source.”
“Being a part of BOSJE has given me the opportunity to work with people and exposed me to places I would have never been exposed to otherwise. I am the musician I am today partly due to the impact that the Society has had on me.”
Students taught
Registered Members
Events Organised
Years Established
Bank Details
Botswana Society For Jazz Education
First National Bank: Airport Junction
Branch Code:288267
Account No: 62590654036
SWIFT CODE: FIRNBWGX XXX