Touchdown

The group visiting South Africa landed home today, earlier than we thought we'd see them. Its interesting to note that even though they've been gone a week, I really missed them. I think feeling of being connected is from all the work that we've put into Spirit together.
Welcome Home!

Return from SA

Our group of 12 just cleared US Customs 15 minutes ago! It was a very productive week of teaching, and it was really exciting to see the progress that they had achieved with their new Resound donated instruments since last year when they were received. More later about the long term realizations of the week...overall a fantastic trip!

I love Fall

There is something so refreshing about the first days of fall on the Cape. Its before it gets all damp in your bones and you can't seem to get warm til the cheer of  Christmas...Its the time of year when we turn our fresh fall energies to Fife and Drum, Winter Percussion and Wind Ensemble. Thereof is always something happening in Spirit of America Band- just ask the people who are on their way home from South Africa ! 

Today is the last day

I am sure that our people in South Africa are packing with a mix of excitement to come home and wishing they could just tie the two halves of the world together.  I look through all the photos and see smiles and experiments on brass both trumpets and trombones, clarinets, and silks.  If you have a face book account you can click here and see some of the pictures......

The Give back to Giving

I heard today that there have been between 40 and 50 kids at the music classes every day in South Africa.  I have to say I'm not surprised because Spirit of America members are known for their energy, kindness, and infectious excitement. How super cool that must be to just share the joy of music. We all hoped that this would be the result from the overwhelming hours that all the members of the band worked to make this possible.  What an exciting thing to see happen.  Well, off to Wind Ensemble....

Thrilling ! Seriously...

I'm so psyched.  I just read one of the posts on the Spirit of America blog from South Africa and they are having a blast.  Its so exciting to hear that they are encouraging the students to want to do more...That is what we wanted when we went over the first time and its really happening !! (I knew it would)  How cool is that ?

"On the Other Side of The Globe..."

Back at home, we had our "normal" Monday night rehearsal- but it was pretty out of the box! While the woodwinds rehearsed the Finzi Romance for the upcoming Wind Ensemble recording, the brass and percussion sections helped build and paint a set for Elements Theatre Company! We got to run chop saws, nail guns and table saws... and splash some paint around too- what fun! One of the unique things about Gloriae Dei Artes Foundation is that each group helps each other out, making the work load a lot more manageable - and a great time in the process!