The Corona Virus Pandemic has forced many artists to innovate their creative endeavours.  The Lady Day Big Band (LDBB) is one such creative force, that chose to move their project into the digital space. Set to launch in December 2020, the Schools’ Outreach Project, a programme of video tutorials and live performances, is aimed at encouraging and inspiring women and girls to step into the musical domain usually seen as the male preserve.  By exploring their talents playing the trombone, saxophone and trumpet, to name a few, the project hopes to inspire them to consider a career as instrumentalists.

Funded by the National Arts Council, the LDBB founders, Lana Crowster, Kelly Bell and Amanda Tiffin, designed the Schools’ Outreach Project to rollout to a number of schools in the Western Cape in March 2020. When the pandemic hit South Africa, they decided to go digital.  They then developed a series of video tutorials and live performances which will be available to any school or music teacher.   In this way the Schools’ Outreach Project will have a broader impact, being available to any school or individual who would be interested in music training.

"I have always dreamed of starting a big band that would provide a platform for professional women musicians to showcase their talents in a safe space. This project is also about inspiring girls and young women who may have a passion for music. I want them to see us doing what we love, doing it well and in professional spaces, and see our successes as aspirational.” says Lana Crowster, founder of the Lady Day Big Band.

The Lady Day Big Band is a 20 piece, professional all women big band. The band features a revolving roster of women musicians who are passionate about music and music education. Many of our members are music educators in addition to being exceptional musicians. The tutorial videos feature Kelly Bell (trombone), Amanda Tiffin (Conducting), Claire Rontsch (Saxophones), Tracey Johannes & Annemie Nel (Drums and electric bass), Hayley Joorst and Christin Rohl (Trumpets) and Lana Crowster (Vocals & Band leading). 

The tutorial and performance videos will be made available for all schools who are interested during December 2020. Any interested music teachers can contact Lana Crowster to receive free access to these videos at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information, visit http://www.crowsnestproductions.info or check out the Lady Day Big Band on social media at www.facebook.com/theladydaybigband and www.instagram.com/theladydaybigband or @TheLadyDayBigBand.

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Issued by
Heads Up Communications
On behalf of Crows Nest Productions (PTY) Ltd
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