First Concert Today

Brass for Africa were involved in their first concert today. We were at the home nice and early to sort music etc. The concert was due to start at 11, due to the fact that the brothers were returning to the monastery in the afternoon.


Timings in Africa are not always particularly precise. Jim Trott bought Bosco Segawa ( one of the directors of Mlisada) a watch for his 30th Birthday to help with time keeping!
Bosco and the Mlisada bands were on time but unfortunately the taxis for the bethlehem orphanage didn't turn up, so we had to send two of our vehicles to pick them up. 


We started the concert with various dance groups from Good Shepherd followed by an impromptu dance from some of the Mlisada boys. Far be it for me to criticise but they have a way to go to catch up with Good Shepherd dance groups!


Francis Attwell then took the Good Shepherd Choir through some of the songs they have been learning. This included a duet with Kato, who is physically very disabled and hadn't be able to say a word until 3 weeks ago, very moving.


Marc Edwards then conducted the Mlisada B band through a good mixture of rousing tunes and slow melodies. The band showed some great musicianship and huge amounts of enthusiasm.


I took the A band through a selection of tunes over the last few days and they produced a great performance of Slaidburn as well as Jim's own 'Mlisad March' which is obviously very popular, and rightly so.


After a short gymnastics display the Bethlehem and Good Shepherd Homes finished off the programme with 3 tunes, all learnt off by heart conducted by their inspirational brass teacher Godfrey Mboira.


All in all, another great days music making

Francis and Kato

Tadeo and Jim 

Bethlehem and Good Shepherd Homes Brass Band

The Mlisada Boys strutting their stuff!