If there’s something that has held people together during the pandemic, it is definitely music. We saw a ton of videos of people singing off their balconies, living rooms, bedrooms, and parking spaces in a bid to not only get rid of the “pandemic cloud”; but also to somehow feel like themselves again
But for musicians, the past year has been more than difficult. With travel halted in some parts of the world and lockdown/curfew still in effect in countries like ours, artists have had their way of life drastically impacted – including the kids from the Safaricom Youth Orchestra.
The musical project launched by the late Bob Collymore, has given some children more to look forward to, not just during the pandemic but way before these trying times.
But today, we’ll talk about how these kids have continued making music even during the pandemic, how despite the harsh realities of the world, they keep waking up, picking up their instruments and despite everything, they are still able to make music together
Navigating through the pandemic
For an orchestra, these really are unfortunate times to be in.
One, they usually practice as a group (which might consist of 70-80 people) and two, they make better music together. Considering how hard it has been for most of us during this pandemic, imagine how it has been for these young kids – kids who should be sharing their gift to the world but can’t because of all these restrictions.
As George Ndugu, Oboe tutor and alumni from SYO tells me, it really hasn’t been easy:
‘Much of the joy that comes from playing in an orchestra is by doing it together, but we can’t anymore. I’ve been especially worried about the kids and wondering how they would cope but they’ve been absolutely gracious about the practicing, recording and I’m so proud of the students’ graduation coming up this Sunday.
The online experience has definitely been different especially for a music teacher. Most of the time you expect to be there with the student to guide them through how to hold and play the instrument but this time it’s been quite the hurdle – however – I’m really surprised at how the students have handled everything and I’m really proud of them.”
Network, availability of devices and seeing the SYO students grow
“It’s also been a challenge for the students since they were used to playing together and now they practice on their own. When it comes to music, especially a form of music like jazz, playing as a single entity isn’t the same as when you play as a group but the students have really been trying to motivate themselves and push through the struggles of the pandemic.
We were also very blessed to have Safaricom provide the students with devices and internet bundles for them to attend classes, making sure that all students are in class by Saturday.”
As much as it has been a challenge for both the students and mentors to push through the struggles of the pandemic, the Safaricom Youth Orchestra will this Sunday mark its 7th graduation ceremony.
The event will be conducted virtually for the second year in a row, and will be streamed on
Safaricom’s YouTube Channel from 2 PM East African time.
11 music students are set to graduate and will be awarded certificates in orchestral music
having learned to play various instruments ranging from the Flute, Alto Sax, Trumpet and Violin.
