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Children in orchestra concert this Sunday
Some of the children who will perform at the concert during the final rehearsals for Sunday’s do. PHOTO BY EDGAR R. BATTE
What you need to know:
What started as a platform to interest children in music has evolved into a musical production.
A sweet melody from the violin so artistically played welcomes me as I approach the Africa Institute of Music (AIM). And as I set foot into the premises, and other instruments create a soothing atmosphere- a trombone, woodwind, harp and more.
Children and teenagers are creatively utilising their fingers, hands, mouths as they make final rehearsals for their Sunday do, the second YO Concert due this Sunday at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala.
What to expect
Thirty children, aged between 7 and 17, will be presenting an orchestra with their teachers before an audience in the Rwenzori Ballroom starting at 4.30pm.
The performers will be students of AIM, located in Muyenga. Children will be charged Shs5,000 while adults will part with Shs10,000.
The school’s director, Maria Park Kim, explains that the concert is aimed at interesting children in music and, therefore, making it affordable for them.
She hinges this on the fact that there are no artistic activities for children in the country.
She explains: “We want to have healthy, recreational, artistic entertainment for children. They (children) will be playing and it would be good for their fellow children to come and appreciate their talent.”
About the school
AIM is a Christian college that is committed to music education and performance in Africa. Its director explains that after teaching at Makerere University’s Music Dance and Drama Department for nine years, she felt that there was a vacuum that needed to be filled in as far as practical tutoring of students was concerned.
YO Africa concerts were launched in 2013. Then the first edition was held at St Stephen’s Church of Uganda in Kisugu, a Kampala suburb.
Why you should attend
Asked what YO stands for, Kim says this is an acronym for Youth Orchestra. This Sunday’s do, however, will be a stage presentation of a large instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments- orchestra/classic music, the school teaches African music, popular music and jazz.
Some of the alumni of AIM include saxophonist Bryan Mugenyi, guitarist Ian Businge, Joe Kahirimbanyi, Alice Nakato, among others. The YO Africa concert will be a 90-minute do.
The deal
Event: YO Concert
Who: AIM Students
Where: Sheranton Hotel
Fee: Shs5,000 for students and Shs10,000 for adults.
When: Sunday May 17, at 4:30pm
