Oriazul

A few days ago we had a professional ensemble for Senegal come to ICS. I arranged a set of master classes for the kids on instrumental improv and choral improv. It was a great experience for the kids. They had an opportunity to play with the ensemble and improv with them. They following day we had an assembly for the group and it was fantastic. We had student back up singers, african drummers and folks in the HS band play with them during the assembly.

Now most of you know that I have no problem with making a fool of myself in front of my kids if it will help them be more confident or whatever. During the HS band master class on Thursday I noticed that 2 of my clarinet players were a little nervous playin with the group. So what did I do, got my clarinet out and played with them. The members of the group were great with students giving everyone an opportunity to play a solo. When friday came around we were to play with oriazul at the assembly. What were the words that came out of my clarinet players mouths, "I'm scared" Now I was just playing the clarinet for my students so they feel more confident. However, the bassist from oriazul comes up to me during the tune and signals me to do a solo. I'm like, dude, I suck!. I also knew that if I did not my clarinets students would be to scared to get up and solo as well. So I did. Actually I didn't do to bad. I was pretty proud of myself. Then it was Ruth's turn, she turned to me and said I don't want to. I turned to her and said yes you can. I just got up there and I am horrible on clarinet. You are a phenominal player so you will sound great. She Got up there and did her solo.

That was it...It wasn't the fact that we were all up there playing together, it wasn't the fact that Orizul asked us to play. It was the gap that was bridged with many of my students over the fear of playing in front of people and letting go of all inhibitions. It was a great experience for everyone.



Here is a little background information on the group:
ORIAZUL (Gold & Blue) the colours of the Cape-Verde Islands, to say the words and the hearth feelings and the concerns of our times. ORIAZUL is the kind of group that leaves its mark on the generations, contributes to their identity and moulds their passion for music of this genre. Established in Dakar, Capital of Senegal, ORIAZUL’s main objective is to entertain, modernize and eternalize the brand of the creoule culture of Cape Verde, such as “Coladera”, “Morna” or “Cola San Jon”, thanks to a new wave of musicians thus, Daniel Gomes (Lead Vocalist, Keyboard and founder of ORIAZUL), Evelyne Dacruz (Vocalist ), Claire Mbeng (Vocalist ), Tapha Thiam (Keyboard - Senegalese), Florent Loso (Bass Guitar) , Baye Diop (Solo Guitar), Satrus Sambou (Keyboard)


While forming a group of musicians at its own style, Daniel Gomes perceived strong and interesting perspectives that had escaped through other bands previously formed that Daniel himself was part of. Fixed on the word, Daniel baptized the group of “HORIZONTE”. It is under this name that the band becomes known at the music festival and at the San Jon 1996. The first couple of performances by the band were attended by over 10,000 Spectators.
In the mean time, a month later, the group finds that onother band called “Horizonte” existed already as indicated by a CD originating in France. The challenge was there to find a name with great meaning, thus “ORIAZUL” that deciphered as OR-I-AZUL (Gold & Blue), the colours of Cape-Verde: Sun and Sea. The Senegalese Cape-Verdians would re-discover this young band in 2 major events: at the dancing dinner of the anniversaries of the independence of Senegal and Cape-Verde. These performances allowed ORIAZUL to the public the professional and artistic maturity of the musicians.


After July 1997 the game was on ORIAZUL’s side, by the publication of their first album « Djobé pa mi »; The Senegalese Cape-Verdians had all reasons to feel proud of ORIAZUL for this production which enriched the Cape-Verdian musical repertoire initiated at the beginning of that decade, participating this way in the spirit of creativity that entertains the Diaspora.

International Day

Last friday we had our international day performance. This day is in commemoration of the many cultures and nationalities we have at ICS. The started with assemblies that led to a flag march. Student, in their native ceremonial dress, marched with flags of the country. It was a sight to see.

Unfortunately I did not see the flags until they came to the big amphitheater because I was getting set up for the performance. Once the flags arrived and the rest of the community who came we began. The students holding the flag of their country all said their greeting from where they come from in their language. It was really amazing to see.


Next, after the Ethiopian flag came up, the HS band played an arrangement of the Ethiopian National Anthem that I arranged. They did a remarkable job. The strange thing with Ethiopian music is that the accompaniments are based on the rhythm of the words. So when I saw the original of the National Anthem, the phrasing kept changing form 4 bar phrases to 3 bar phrases to 2 bar phrases back to 4.

It was ridiculous. So the tune was originally written in a march style so I continued that and created a couple of countermelodies in the B and Trio sections. After I was writting the last few notes I thought to myself, "Man, I hope they don't arrest me for changing parts of the National Anthem. However, I guess I had no worries becuase the Ethiopian staff loved it. (Whew!)


The rest of the concert was a collage of the entire K-12 music department. Kathy (elementary music director) did some amazing things with her choirs. I am so blessed to have a feeder program like hers. I heard this one little boy in 5th grade singing like Billy Joel. It was amazing. My 1st quarter African Drumming class played as well. Their first tune was the Eagle Bump (aka ICS Cheer) It sounds pretty similar to some drum cadences I wrote in the past.


However, later in the concert we played a tribute to someone who had passed away in the beginning of the year. Ernest Mushora was the beloved soccer (football) coach. The first week we were here Mushora came to seek me out because he heard that ICS was finally starting an African Drumming class. He wanted to be a part of that becuase he had an exceptional background in West African Drumming. The following week we were supposed to meet to discuss what kind of things he wanted to do. Unfortunately, he died suddenly from a heart attack.

Everyone spoke of what a great person this Mushora was and many public discussions were had in his honor. I was studing a few rhythms from Ghana that are used for celebrations, funerals, weddings, etc. And I came across one called Adowa. I taught it to the students and they felt that this would be a great tribute to Mushora. So we performed that as well. From what I heard there was a lady from Ghana who stood up and began dancing.


Then there was my choir who I guess became the highlight of the show. They did a great job. Singing in 3 and at times 4 parts well. They were expressive they had energy. It was great.

One of my favorite comments about the choral performance that I shared with the kids was one that came from a parent, "I thought kids sang bad because they were kids. They sounded good." Interesting, huh.


After the performance the parents brought food from their native country to share with everyone in the courtyard. It was a great day!