Young People Making Music Across the World

Sunday 8th January was the finishing up of the Christmas season for me, and I was invited to a presentation by our youth group 'Roots Exchange' who had prepared a report back on their recent trip to Elsies River in Cape Town.

This trip was the latest in a developing relationship with the township It was all started in 2003 when Wren’s Music Director Paul Wilson and myself went on an exploratory visit and met with John Davids, a remarkable music leader, who teaches at University of Cape Town music department and runs Com Arts, a music and arts organisation using music to achieve social and educational outcomes in Elsies River, a township of mixed race. Under Apartheid it was designated a coloured township, and most prevalent in their repertoire is the Cape Malay harmony tradition, alongside more usual African music.

We took a small group of singers over in 2005, and hosted a return leg in 2008 here in Devon, (when I’m afraid our British summer was no compensation for them visiting during their winter holiday)

In August 2011 we sent a group of nine singers and players, with three music leaders. The presentation was fabulous! We heard all about teaching in schools and sharing performances as well as time off on Table Mountain.

The favourite tune learned was ‘Pata-Pata’ and the favourite taught was the ‘Pat-a-cake’ polka from east Devon (I thought that was worth noting in terms of similarity of title but the rest of the team were unimpressed!).

I was so moved by what the young people were saying, especially by the poem below which was written by one of the South African participants for the visit ‘The bird of the rainbow’, that I returned to my desk on Monday with renewed vigour to ensure the continuity of this relationship, and we are working on some sort of music leader exchange in addition to maintaining the youth exchange.

If anyone has any experiences of international exchanges of music workers I would love to hear from you! Marilyn@wrenmusic.co.uk

Here the group prepare for the trip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67TNBSxxF-Y&feature=player_embedded

The Bird of the Rainbow By Shirmoney Rhodes, ComArt Youth Ensemble participant

When the sun set on its different horizons A bird of freedom came flying to me and Whispered a message in my ear A message of hope, love and unity. He said that those from far and near will Come and meet and greet the face of the same sunshine Under the same rainbow.

Different worlds will collide and together make one In which respect and humility reaches Consensus, You will be happy and share and laugh and together Make history on your own, in your world.

Different colors forms one beautiful rainbow When placed next to each other, and that’s what You will look like he muttered. A beautiful rainbow in a world where freedom And laughter smells as good as The smell of a spring flower.

So spread your wings, and make the songs Of your hearts the rhythm of life. Make the beat A unique one, dance to it and have fun.

The little freedom bird stared at me with Joy in his bright eyes. “You better make it Count while it lasts” he said and flew off.

I realized that the little bird was right, A new opportunity was created for two Different worlds to collide and make A beautiful rainbow.

So Let’s be the color and the rhythm And let’s make the songs of our heart The rhythm of our lives. And enjoy every moment just as The bird of the rainbow.