Baccalaureate

The Sunday before graduation, ABC held a Baccalaureate service for the graduating Seniors. Jonathan gave both the Invocation and Benediction. The chapel was packed. The kids and I listened from outside.

  Linda

My Assistant Choir Director, Amayi Abusa(pastor's wife) and proudly serving the Malawian Army.

 Shonduri

2011 ABC Valedictorian and Malawian Police Officer

 JJ and Georgia "helping" with the reception.  JJ posing with tables full of Fanta.

Christian (ABC Sophomore) and her daughter

 

 Enettie and Amayi (mom)

 

JJ and Abambo a Enettie (Enettie's Dad)

Music Theory II

Back: Chikondi, Dennis, Mayamiko, Joseph Middle: Me, Pempho, Faith  Front: Humphreys, John

There were 35 students in Music Theory I. Similar to theory classes in the US, a large number did not continue into this second semester, leaving our Music Theory II with the 8 sophomores you see in the photo(freshmen had a scheduling conflict)

There is something unique about teaching a small group of motivated and bright students. Written musical notation is brand new to all of them. We began with a nice Hungarian Ear Training curriculum.(Kodaly based) They were challenged to sing their weekly homework assignments in front of their classmates. We became like a little family-lots of laughing and joking, mixed with genuine hard work.

For the final we took a hymn and learned the solfa for the Soprano, Alto and Tenor lines. Then they broke into groups of three and performed for the class. I was very proud. Singing notation is difficult even for experienced musicians.  I already miss my Tuesday mornings!

Traditional Clothing

 Georgia and Grace

The most affordable new clothes are those made from chitenji (African cloth) and sewn by a local tailor. Georgia wanted a purple dress and JJ asked for something blue.

Super Saturday

 Field Day @ABC

Beginning with the men's bike race

 Freshmen with a game plan

 Seniors!

 Pempho biking for the Sophomores

 JJ cheering his favorite Senior

 

 400 meters

Georgia Mae and Becca