From Kindergarten Singer to Music Maestro

Night two - the final performance

Previously you read about IW and AM's exciting adventures in teaching songs to Kindergarten children. About 5 weeks ago IW was approached by the teacher in charge of the orchestra (Hereafter known as TIC) who has absolutely no musical knowledge, to assist in the preparation of the orchestra for the school Awards Night on 28 July. IW accepted this offer not really knowing what it involved.

We will now relate how this kind offer from TIC turned into an immense challenge for IW. You see in India, assist means - you do all the work, but TIC steps in when she wants to and arbitrarily changes things. The basic request was for 30 minutes (or 6 songs) singing prior to the commencement of the evening program and 2 items during the program.

TIC sent 2 of the "orchestra" girls to work with IW to select the songs for the evening. At this point in time perhaps we should define the word "orchestra". In actual fact this was a group of 16 girls, ranging in age from 12 - 16, with minimal musical experience. There were 3 keyboard players. 2 violinists, 2 guitarists, 2 drummers (but only one drum set) and 5 vocalists. It was what we in Oz would call a school band.

IW worked with the 2 girls and sorted out a range of songs that would be suitable and relatively easy to perform given the short time available to practice before the performance. The girls took this list to TIC to inform her of what the orchestra would be performing.

As stated above TIC decided that she didn't like our selection and suggested some others. Most of you know IW fairly well and can imagine her "frustration" at this point, having spent a couple of hours in the selection process with the girls. IW was fairly outspoken in her objections to TIC's request. It was at this point that we think TIC realised that IW was a force to be reckoned with.

IW, the girls and TIC resolved the song list and practice began. At our first practice it became obvious that we needed to separate singers from instrumentalists as there was a lot of work to be done with both groups. Another interesting point surfaced at our first practice - TIC informed us that the Awards Night would be on the 22nd not the 28th and that we would also being doing a dress rehearsal on the 21st which was a minor presentation evening.

WOW! With a short statement from TIC, one week of practice just vanished before our eyes. This left us two weeks preparation to learn 8 songs with children with minimal singing and instrumental experience. Fortunately, "nothing is impossible for God" which is what IW kept reinforcing to the girls.

The first part of God's provision was the presence of IW's sister Kath (Hereafter known as GMP - God's Magnificent Provision). The decision was made that GMP would work with the singers which she did brilliantly and IW would use all of her "orchestra experience" to turn the novices into a well oiled machine.

The orchestra

Practice continued with GMP working with the singers and IW with the musos for the first half of the practice, then all coming together for the second half. For the first week we practiced every afternoon for about 3 hours and in the week prior to the performance about 4 -5 hours (mostly during school time). As there was no place on the school premises for them to practice our lounge room was transformed into the orchestra "pit".

Another thing to note about Indian schools is that the Principal is the final arbiter on all things that occur. This is especially important to note when talking about Awards Night which is the premier event in the school calendar. What we discovered was that every item that was to be performed on the night had to be critiqued and approved by the Principal beforehand.

For the orchestra this meant that she visited the orchestra pit (AKA our lounge room) to listen to the two item songs. She approved them and "encouraged" the girls with the words "I'm sure you'll be better on the night" and then left. IW was flabbergasted!! but the girls didn't seem to mind so we just went with the flow.

Having thought we were over the critiquing hurdle we continued to practice. Much to our surprise TIC informed us that we had to be critiqued, along with all the other items, by the Principal, on the stage that was constructed in the dirt, for the Awards Night. This was an ordeal! We had to carry, 3 keyboards and stands, 1 drum kit, 2 guitars, 2 violins down to set up on the stage in the midday sun and stand for at least an hour being berated by the Principal for taking so long to set up when in actual fact the sound people were holding up the proceeds because they were still sorting out microphones.

The result of this "practice" was demoralising for the girls, with the Principal telling them their performance was substandard. IW was very angry. The sound quality was pathetic - all sound unbalanced - singers were made to stand behind the band because there is an unwritten requirement in India that all girls' parents must be able to see their children.

Did we say before that IW was angry! Yes she was! and made it very clear that it was impossible for the singers to stand behind the band as they couldn't hear any music. Drr! The Deputy Principal who was running the "show" knew by one look at IW's face that this was not going to be an acceptable solution to the "girls not being seen" problem and promptly suggested that we put desks on the dirt in front of the stage for the singers to stand on, which is what we did.

However, one of the things this practice did highlight for IW was that a couple of the singers couldn't sing in tune and as each of the singers had a microphone this was highlighted fairly badly. This was another problem IW had to think about. She decided that although GMP had taught harmony parts to these girls, in the open air with individual microphones, this would not work and tactfully suggested this to the girls involved. They understood the wisdom of this and we think were a little relieved. Their only concern was that GMP would be disappointed but IW pointed out that GMP would understand.

Needless to say we regrouped in the orchestra pit and went about rectifying the damage done to the girls' self-esteem. IW worked hard to try to remain positive and focussed.

We have noticed that all events staged in the school grounds (ie capping, weddings, etc) the rule of sound is that everything is turned up as loud as possible. We had a hurdle to overcome with the sound people to enable the individual instruments and vocalists to be balanced. IW worked hard with them to help them understand the needs of the orchestra and by the time of the second performce the sound was reasonable and the girls did a great job. However even on this night there was no foldback for the singers no matter how many times IW explained how difficult this was for them.

The girls at prayer before night one

There were a lot of positive comments from the hostel girls and parents and Bishop gave IW the "thumbs up". The girls were all happy and we celebrated with them on the following Sunday at our favourite coffee haunt.

Again it was reinforced to IW and AM that delegation is non-existent in India and when you think you are asked to manage a task, you need to understand that the person who delegates the task still exercises their right to change things as they see fit.

The grounds after the event - but this is another story!