AN EXCITING MUSIC PROJECT COMMENCING IN APRIL
The music programme being implemented by KOMAI, a social business based in New York, will commence in Luchenza in early April. The program will kick-off with an intensive teacher training course for a group of local teachers and musicians, conducted by Komai’s Music Coordinators, Max Jaffe and Masauko Chipembere, and Malawian ethnomusicologist Waliko Mahkala. Throughout the year, Komai will conduct teacher training through their volunteer program with New York’s ‘The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music’. The New School music students will visit Malawi regularly and provide refresher training courses for the teachers and help teach in the after-school music classes.
There are 11 Komai Music team members travelling to Malawi in April. This includes Komai Directors and Co-Founders Amelia Reid and Katelyn Faith, Creative Project Coordinator Karlie Krieger, music coordinators Max Jaffe and Masauko Chipembere, film makers Darren Hauck, Daniel Le Clair and Alex Roberts, and LA band, Islands.
After the completion of the two-week intensive music teacher training, the program will extend to after-school music classes at the Mwitere Primary School for 80 students. The after school music program will be conducted four days each week until November. Some nourishing refreshment for the students will be prepared by members of the FOCHTA Gogoz “Grandma” Group. The pilot program will wrap up in November with a community concert that will showcase the achievement of the students. Komai will continue the program with their learnings from the pilot year and work towards making the project self-sustaining.
On April 27, 2013, a concert will be held at the Luchenza Community Centre Ground performed by LA-band Islands, led by Nicholas Thorburn with members Evans Gordon and Geordie Gordon. Performing along with them will be some local talents and renowned Malawian musicians. This concert will mark the 10th Anniversary of FOCHTA as well as the launching of the Komai Music Program.