Reflection #6 (service, creativity)- Cambiare Kabataan Music Program

          Getting the chance to be in contact with Deborah Francisco, one of the teachers in “Jesus the Christ Center”, I had the opportunity to teach violin in that elementary school for those who are interested to join the Cambiare Kabataan Music Program. I went there every Friday 3:30-4:30pm right after my school. It was on November 8, 2013, that I had my first lesson with them. I was very excited and a bit worried because it was my first time to teach violin to someone else. Despite this nervousness, the children happily welcomed me and so I didn’t have much difficulties getting along with them. There were four students at the beginning but after a while two more students joined in. I first taught them how to hold the bow and the violin which one to two students struggled a bit because the violin was too big or too small for them. Since these students couldn't afford to buy a violin, only one violin was held for all six of them to play with. So while one was holding the violin, others had to observe and wait for their turn to actually play it. This was one of the disadvantage from this activity, as they were waiting for their turn others sometimes fidgeted around and didn't pay attention well. Despite some of this children, some were actually really enthusiastic to learn and waited patiently. They even asked me again whether this position was right and whether it was the right chord that they are pressing. Seeing them actually learning and listening made me happy and I also learned from them. As I see their enthusiasm, I prepared more lessons for them and we  even began to learn how to play a simple piece called "Long-Long Ago". They liked it and they also wanted a copy of the note sheet to practice the fingering at home which astonished me. They were really bright and kind students.

 

 

           I had also taught them how to play the piano once and they also really enjoyed it. Since there were two piano keyboards, all of these six students were able to play easily on them, unlike the violin. I taught them how to play "Jingle Bells" as it was the season of Christmas on December. They seemed to really like it as they kept playing it over and over again. There was this one boy who quickly learned the notes and played it well, he was a clever boy and this made be really proud. I believe that through this activity, the kids have learned a lot from a short period of time and I hope they will continue to seek for their interest. Their passion in music has touched me and seeing many children already talented in other instruments such as the guitar has influenced me to strive for better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             On our last session on December, each student was given a certificate of participation. Giving this certificate to each of them made me feel that it is really the last day to see each other again. This made me sad as they were really bright students and I wanted to continue to teach them if I had the chance and time.

 

 

 



              On the last Friday of the month of December, my friend and I were invited to play a song for the Cambiare Cafe so we decided to play "You Raise Me Up". I played the violin and my friend played the piano. We practiced two to three times together and though it was a short practice session, we were able to play it successfully on that day. It was a memorable day as we were able to buy some snacks and drinks for the proceeds to go to the Restored Lives Organization and to this music program.