Under its current conductor Werner Dannewitz, the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band has achieved its present status of excellence.

Werner Dannewitz is a professional clarinettist. He was born in Germany, and started his instruction at the age of nine under the guidance of Professor Ernst Flackus. He started his musical career with the Durban Symphony Orchestra as Principal Clarinettist. Whilst lecturing at the Conservatoire of Music in Windhoek, he formed the Windhoek Youth Wind Band.

He joined the Natal Education Department in Pietermaritzburg, and in 1977 founded the Natal Youth Wind Band, the forerunner of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band. He conducted this band till the end of 1986.

Mr. Dannewitz is a founder member of the Acadamy of Music at the Natal Technicon and frequently plays with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was involved in the establishment of, and is currently the director of the new Durban Music School, where tuition and training is be provided for future musicians. He returned to direct the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Wind Band at the beginning of 1995. Mr. Dannewitz enjoys the respect of all the members of the Band, and is concerned with promoting these aspiring young musicians, not only as representatives of our province, but also as representatives of South Africa in international music festivals.