Robsons In Malawi

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Oh Where is My Prom Dress?

Malawians like to dress "smart" as they say. I mean 6 inch heels to class and never slippers (flip flops). It shouldn't have been a surprise that for the Senior Dinner all the girls were dressed in FANCY gowns. I also had a dress thanks to the Salvation Army in Thomasville, GA! It was a fun celebration.

Spring Concert and Peter Mawanga

The ABC Spring Choir Concert was on June 1. A semester of hard work came together nicely. We sang a three part arrangement of "Salvation is Created" by Tschesnokoff. It stretched the students abilities as well as their stylistic preferences. I was proud of them. This piece is slow and very different from anything they've heard before. When I played it for them in January they thought it was boring and by June it had become a favorite. We also sang the gospel song "Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory" and a beautiful original Chichewa composition by Senior Linda Chiyani.

Dress rehearsal

The Seniors

Me and Peter

Peter Mawanga, Malawian international recording artist, spent a few rehearsals with the ABC jazz combo, Mingoli, teaching a song from an upcoming album titled, "Mau a Malawi, Stories of AIDS." Here is a link to a website that explains more about the heart and mission of this album. We are also honored to have Peter working with Mingoli for a few rehearsals in September. He will be performing at the University of North Carolina in the fall for a large benefit. Go if you're close!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

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)

Thursday, June 16, 2011

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!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

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.