The Melodious March of History: St. Francis Secondary School’s Boys’ Brass Band

From the sun-baked plains of Malole, Zambia, rises a sound that echoes through history itself – the vibrant notes of the St. Francis Secondary School Boys’ Brass Band. For over four decades, this ensemble has woven a tapestry of musical excellence, gracing the ears of dignitaries, captivating crowds at agricultural shows, and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the nation.

A Legacy Forged in Brass:

It is hard to write about St. Francis secondary school without talking about its school band. It was founded in 1960 by Brother Fabien Beliveau and it is currently still the most famous school band in the country.

Situated in the Northern Province of Zambia, the home of the St. Francis secondary school brass band, more commonly known as the Malole band, is in the heart of Bemba country, close to the chieftainship of the paramount chief.

In 1960 the Northern province develop commission, headed by Mr. Magnus Halcrow, endowed the St. Francis Secondary School band with necessary funds for improvement of them music hall and for the purchase of basic music instruments. The headmaster of the school was brother Fabian, S.C (a Brother of the sacred heart) who is the founder of the band and its band master. Mr. Valentine Chanda and Brother Irenaeus Chabot, S.C. seconded his efforts from the early stage.

When Br. Fabian retired in 1966 Br. i. Chabot assumed the direction of the school band with Br. Richard Goulet, S.C. and Br. Roger Argencourt, S.C. as his assistant bandmaster. During the next number of decades of programmes were introduced and contributed to greater achievements. Having acquired its first band uniform, the band started performing beyond Kasama district by entertaining at the opening of Kenneth Kaunda secondary school, which was presided by H.E. Kenneth Kaunda. At the great occasion H.E. publicly made a generous donation the Band. This gift enabled as to purchase addition musical instruments which were later presented to the school Band at the end of the performance at the State House. We are indebted to Mr. Valentine Musakanya for his great interest and influence concerning the materialization of this gift.

In 1997 the band performed for the first time at the Zambia international Trade Fair and later at the Lusaka Agricultural and commercial show. This was the result of regular weekly rehearsals, individual practices, and theory classes which allowed students to sit for yearly examination from the London Royal school of music. To ensure continuity and achieve higher standards, a junior Band programme was initiated in the early history of the school Band.

Hence, the most promising musicians were enrolled in summer sessions at Evelyn Hone College, where they acquired valuable insights. Mutual assistance was emphasised throughout the training programme; that is, older boys helping younger boys with theory and instrumentation. This “help thy neighbour” principle extended all the way to St John’s Secondary School, Mongu and St. Edmund’s Secondary School, Mazabuka in 1973 the three Bands: St. Francis Malole, St. John’s Mongu and St. Edmund Mazabuka joined forces in the Tiyende Pamodzi Pageant held at the Lusaka showground’s. Among our former students, several bandmaster later joined the police and army Bands. Three obtained bursaries for advanced music studies and later retained to Zambia with music B.A. degrees to lead the development of music in the country.

Another turning point in the Band’s history was the arrival of Brother Henry Peter Lussier, S.C. veteran of 32 years in the field of Music Education in the U.S and master on instrumental and choral music. Thanks to him and the school administration the band changed from an exra-curricular activity to a newly organised Music Department which became fully integrated in the school’s programme of studies. As Bro Lussier assumed the direction of the Music Department, Br. Irenaeus graciously stepped down to the post of assistant. After the ultimately and unfortunate death of Br. Lussier in August, 1977, Mr. Felix Taulo a former band member and a senior member of the police Band was seconded for one year, (thanks to H.E. president Kenneth Kaunda) to St. Francis Secondary School to assist Br. Irenaeus Chabot in running the Music Department and the school Band. The following tear Mr. Longino returned from USA with his B.A. degree in music education to assist Br. Chabot in order to ensure the continuity and progress of music course and the school Band.

In August, 1979 when Br. Chabot went on home leave for Music studies, Mr. l. Mumpuka assumed the position as head of the Music department until he was promoted to Evelyn Hone College where he was head of the Music Department. Br. Chabot resumed the leadership of the Music Department of St. Francis in September, 1983 after Mr. Charles Mutale, who had come to the rescue due to the absence of Mr. L. Mumpuka, had been in charge for one term. His contribution is appreciated. In September, 1984, because of Mr. C. Mutale’s transfer to another school, Br. Chabot began to apply for and look forward to the arrival of Mr. Justin Musonda to come and assist him and eventually assume the post of head of the music department.

Due to the interest and influence of Monsignor Bryon Walsh and our school chaplain of 1983, Father Brendan Lane, the school senior Band was officially inverted to participate in the celebration of the 43^rd international Eucharistic Congress to be held in Nairobi, Kenya from 11^th to 18^th August, 1985. This has materialized thanks to the financial assistance of our sponsors, especially the Zambia Consolidated Copper mine and Zambia Airways. The band members as well as those accompanying them, the school, the country and the church will all benefit from the band’s participation in the celebration of such a great historical and religious event.

Under the leadership of Brother Mayuka, the Headteacher and Mr. Kapampa Given as Head of Department for Expressive Art, the School has one of the best brass bands in the Country.  For many years the school band has emerged national champions during its appearances at the National Agriculture and Commercial show in Lusaka.

The band has continued to entertain the communities of Northern Province at various occasions when called upon.

St. Francis Secondary School: Northern Zambia’s Debate Dominators

Nestled in the sun-drenched plains of Malole, Northern Zambia, St. Francis Secondary School’s debate team isn’t just a club – it’s a force of nature. For decades, their razor-sharp arguments and unwavering passion for critical thinking have propelled them to become unquestionable champions in the realm of debate, both within Northern Zambia and across the nation.

Northern Province: Undisputed Reign:

St. Francis owns the Northern Province debate scene like a king his throne. Their victories at regional competitions echo through the corridors of history, leaving a trail of trophies and humbled opponents. Their name evokes a sense of awe and respect, a recognition of their mastery of logic, rhetoric, and sheer intellectual firepower.

National Stage: Where Titans Clash:

But St. Francis’ ambitions extend beyond provincial borders. They are regulars on the national debate stage, locking horns with the best teams the country has to offer. Their battles are legendary, fueled by intense preparation, meticulous research, and the unwavering belief in the power of their voices. These clashes are more than just competitions; they are showcases of Zambia’s vibrant intellectual landscape, with St. Francis often standing as the standard-bearer for Northern Zambia.

A Legacy Forged in Words:

The secret to St. Francis’ dominance lies not just in their talent, but in their spirit. They are a true debate family, bound by a shared passion for knowledge, critical thinking, and the art of persuasive argument. Their coaches nurture not just debaters, but young minds capable of tackling complex issues with eloquence and conviction.

So the next time you hear the echoes of debate in Zambia, listen closely. You might just catch the sharp minds of St. Francis at work, weaving their intellectual magic and carving their place in the nation’s history, one powerful argument at a time.

St. Francis Secondary School: JETS Champions of Malole and Beyond

St. Francis Secondary School in Malole, Northern Zambia, isn’t just a school – it’s a breeding ground for young minds hungry for knowledge and competition. Nowhere is this more evident than in their dominance of the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) competition, both regionally and nationally, for the past ten years.

Regional Royalty:

Within Malole, St. Francis reigns supreme. Their JETS teams consistently sweep regional competitions, leaving other schools in their dust. Trophies line the school’s halls, each one a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of their young scientists and engineers. The sight of the St. Francis team taking the stage at a regional JETS competition is enough to send shivers down the spines of their opponents.

National Champions:

But St. Francis’ ambitions soar beyond Malole’s borders. They are regulars on the national JETS stage, consistently battling it out with the best young minds from across Zambia. Their victories at the national level are legendary, etching their name in the JETS Hall of Fame and cementing their reputation as a powerhouse of innovation and problem-solving.

A Legacy of Innovation:

The secret to St. Francis’ JETS success lies not just in their talent, but in their unwavering spirit. Their JETS program is a hotbed of creativity and collaboration, where students are encouraged to explore their scientific curiosity and push the boundaries of what’s possible. From building robots to designing eco-friendly solutions, the projects these students create are as diverse as they are impressive.

Beyond Trophies:

JETS is more than just about winning for St. Francis. It’s about nurturing a love for science, technology, and innovation in their students. It’s about providing them with the skills and confidence to tackle real-world problems and become the future leaders of Zambia.

So the next time you hear about JETS in Zambia, remember St. Francis Secondary School. Remember the young minds who are shaping the future, one invention, one experiment, one competition at a time.