This past Saturday afternoon was Umoja's end-of-term concert. It was a great success!
The eclectic program included:
A "Suzuki play-down" with all 30+ violin students on stage at the same time
Piano, violin and guitar group class presentations
Umoja Ensemble singing traditional music and a newly-composed song by Danielle!
A jazz ensemble
A movement of a Bach Brandenburg Concerto performed by several advanced students
Danielle's arrangement of Mungu Ibariki Afrika (Tanzania's national anthem) for pianos, flutes, violins, guitars, and singers
A lot of work and preparation went into this epic performance, from organizing the program to making stage set-up charts to rehearsing with students to publicity to catering... and of course, all the students practiced and prepared and really rose to the occasion in the performance.
It was great to have everyone involved in Umoja together in one place: international school students, outreach students, Umoja Ensemble kids, all the teachers, and of course everyone's families! Not to mention a sizeable audience from the Arusha community.
Several personal highlights: leading the big group of violins, getting to play for Danielle's Umoja Ensemble song, making my public debut on a drum (!), participating in the national anthem ensemble (it is such a beautiful song -- look it up on youtube), and being hugged after the concert by my youngest student, a little Tanzanian boy who until recently has been very shy around me and often looked sad. But after the concert he not only gave me a hug but he had a big grin on his face! A wonderful moment.
And now: countdown to Canada! I will be home for a visit from Dec.21 - Jan.8. Really looking forward to it.
Your experience with the little boy reminds me of several young children I've worked with in the past - the reward when you realize you've gained their trust and affection is worth all the patience. Getting that smile means so much sometimes! Congratulations, sounds like the concert - and you! - were a big success.
ReplyDelete