Update from Mansek! I am aware that I have written very little recently about my work at Mansek over the past few months, but as the last 6 weeks have without doubt been busiest, most productive and indeed the most rewarding so far, I thought it was definitely time to do so! THEORY EXAMS On 1st March, 6 students and 3 teachers from Mansek took Associated Board Music Theory Exams - the same as we have in England - in nearby Sekondi (Grades 2 & 3, with Fiifi taking Grade 6). I felt like a bit like a nervous parent waiting outside the exam room, but judging by their smiles and positive comments when they came out, they all passed, and I’m hoping some will get merits and distinctions (Watch this space!) I hadn’t really taught theory before, but the Ghanaians’ love of learning, and aptitude for learning theory, made it a really enjoyable experience, even for something so potentially dull and dry as music theory!. They all worked very hard, in particular teachers John and Baaba, who had never learnt theory before, but were scoring distinctions in their mock papers! As well as their hard work, an exam like this is a big financial investment for Ghanaians, so I hope it all pays off! CHAPEL HILL BRASS GROUP At the beginning on February, Fiifi and I negotiated for Mansek to provide weekly brass tuition at a nearby private school, Chapel Hill, which is a big contract for the school. So, John and I have been training up a dozen students on trumpet and trombone each week, initially concentrating on good breathing and buzzing techniques, and their progress has been great, again very committed and hard working. As I have no trombone students currently at Mansek, this has been a nice opportunity for me to teach and coach some brass again, and it is always pleasing to have started some new students off on the trombone (especially on another continent!). My star pupil is called Prince! The group will perform at a Mansek concert on 31st March, and under John’s leadership I am sure they will go on to great things in the future! EMILY, EUAN, JENNY and MIKE As I wrote in my first ever blog, my trip would simply not have been possible without the endless help and support of Emily and Jenny Brown, who have now supported Mansek for over five years in many ways – through fundraising, exchange trips, setting up a website and organizing volunteers such as myself! During February half-term Emily and Jenny flew out with Euan and Mike, fellow music teachers in Milton Keynes, who all love coming to Mansek and Takoradi - ‘feels like we’re coming home!’ Our week together was a mixture of teaching at school, planning with Fiifi, and going out for some seriously good meals every night – the highlights being grilled lobster at Busua, and fresh Red Snapper at Planter’s Lodge, yum yum! Jenny and Euan did a lot of Dalcroze sessions (rhythm and movement based) which I found really interesting, and then we all joined forces each day to play with the orchestra. They all seemed really happy with the progress of the school and recognized some positive changes, which is nice to know! Above all, it was a pleasure to spend a week in their company, with a shared passion for Mansek, Ghana, travel, music and life! I have already planned to meet up with them in the summer, when we will hopefully meet also with 2 potential volunteers, which would be great for the school. GHANA @ 50 As you may have been aware, Ghana celebrated 50 years of independence on Tuesdy 6th March, even more significant as it was the first African country to do so at the time. So, there has been a real party mood for the last few weeks throughout Ghana, with many flags, banners, costumes, parades, processions, etc to commemorate the big event. Words are unable to describe the sheer joy and euphoria of the celebrations on Tuesday, and just take a look at my photos to see what I mean! I felt privileged to be part of it all, and I was made to feel very welcome by everybody. Infact, I made another appearance on local television, playing trombone in a parade of the ‘Freedom Flame’– I am now getting recognized in town as the obruni trombone player from TV! The Mansek Orchestra made it’s first public appearance, playing an impromptu concert in the streets of Takoradi just outside Mansek, all kitted out in special ‘Ghana @ 50’ T-Shirts’ (donated by my Nan). We played a mixture of pieces, including Little Brown Jug, Yellow Submarine, and their new favourite ‘Toreador’s Song’ (from Carmen) to a large, and probably slightly bemused crowd, who had gathered to listen. AND NOW…… I head to Accra for the inside of a week, where I will stay at a school in the rural Akuapem Hills area, just north of the city, where I will deliver presents from the Africa Link Team at the Blue School in Wells (whom I met in the summer, and is run by a good friend of mine, Neil Mantell), And then, the day I’ve been counting down to – March 17th - Kate arrives in Accra! We will head straight to Green Turtle Lodge…… so if the blog doesn’t get updated for a while you’ll know why! When we return to Takoradi, we’ll be both very much in holiday mode, just relaxing and enjoying the last 6 weeks of my African Adventure together…. I can’t wait! Anyway, thanks for reading….. James