The Cello Fellow Visits

String and percussion ruled at Whampoa this morning.

We had a great time with Leslie Tan from the T'ang Quartet and his student David. We wanted to bring music into the Whampoa sessions and Leslie's been wanting to help out for a while so this morning, the kids rocked to classical - and some not so classical - music.

Our goals: to give the kids a window into types of music and instruments they're not familiar with, have them make their own "instruments" with rubber bands, ice cream sticks, plates, string (thanks Ching-Hua for the materials) and have them make music. More importantly, we wanted them to have fun while learning and doing new things.

We tried to figure out pop music David and Leslie could play and have the kids sing along to - so we thought - Justin Beiber? Adele? In the end, the kids spontaneously broke into National Day songs accompanied by David on the violin. Surprisingly fun. And they all seemed to know those songs.

Leslie and David started by telling them about the cello and the violin - and how classical musicians were the centuries ago pop stars - kinda sorta. The pair played a waltz, and told the kids that people centuries ago would dance to the music. "Like in a club?" asked Sameer.

They played some Bach, and asked the kids of the music sounded happy or sad. (Both, at various points). Then they played a duet and engaged the kids in a discussion about partnership and collaboration.

Then it was the kids' turn. They picked up their materials to make their own instruments. And wrote several sentences about their instruments - some with the help of volunteers. We found that having the kids write "scripts" before coming up to speak made some of them a lot less hesitant than they usually were and that the quality of what they presented was a lot better as well. So - something to keep.

We gave prizes for the most interesting instrument and best presentation. Some really interesting instruments including ones that looked like a submarine, a gun (don't ask), a UFO/ drum-set, and a string instrument in which one end of a string of rubber bands was anchored to the floor with an ice-cream stick and a kid's feet while the kid plucked the rubberband for sound.

Then David orchestrated them into doing Stand By Me with voice and percussion - using the kids' newly made instruments, along with hands, feet and chests.

At the end of the class, the kids asked if Leslie and David were coming back next weekend and could they please bring other instruments as well. So, here's to next weekend - when the kids will help compose a piece of music that Leslie and David will play - along with the kids.

Will this help the kids pass exams? No.
Will this make them future musicians? Unlikely.
But if this piqued their curiousity by opening a window to something new that they'll maybe enjoy - that's something.

Not quite El Sistema, but - hey, one day.