Sifiso Langa, a 21-year-old contra bass player, came from South Africa to perform with Pioneer this summer. Langa is part of a growing trend of individuals that perform with groups in South Africa and in American drum corps. He is one of five members from the country performing this year with Pioneer. The drum and bugle corps activity is particularly up-and-coming in South Africa. Through organizations like the Field Band Foundation, thousands of youth in Africa have been introduced to and exposed to the marching arts. In describing some of the differences between drum corps with Pioneer and in South Africa, Langa said: "At home in South Africa I play the small tuba. When I came here this [contra bass] was big and strange for me to pick up and play, but I'm used to it now ... The work that we do in a week in South Africa is the work that we do here in one day".