Edwin Nuwagaba
2 November 2008
opinion
I doubt whether there is anybody out there that does not like music that speaks to their soul.
Music that can make you sit back and relax, music that if taken in large quantities might even take you to sleep. It is rare though to go for a concert around town and find this kind of music playing. But well, here is the good news; Orchestra Kampala will be playing today at Serena Hotel in a grand show.
The group for over a month has been going through vigorous rehearsals at Kampala Music School and yes, all of them are talented. Most of them are former students of Kampala Music School with a background in church music.
It is about 7:30p.m. and everybody here in one of the Music School rooms is busy with their instrument, their director stands affront and with his hands in the air he directs them at what to do. After a few corrections here and there, they all pick their instruments once again, and soon beautiful sounds and harmonies fill the air. Other students, not at the Music School, but at the neighbouring YMCA, stand in the windows to listen to this music.
Whereas along the way they hope to make some money, their dream is to raise funds for charity. So after they have performed tonight, the money that they will make goes straight to Cure Children's Hospital in Mbale to fund operations of children suffering from hydrocephalus and spinal bifuda.
Here are brief profiles of some of the players; Dennis Kabuye is a double bass player, he started playing in 2003, at Kampala Music School. He teaches music at Rainbow Academy. His musical background dates way back from church, where he used to sing and at the same time play instruments.
Samson Lugya plays the piano, and started in 1988 at Namirembe Cathedral. He finished his grade 8 in piano in 1999 at Kampala Music School and did a Diploma in the same in 2005. Besides playing, he teaches music in various schools.
Njuki David plays the clarinet and the piano. He has been playing for eight years now, and his experience standing here in the rehearsal room cannot be doubted. He is a second year student at MUBS pursuing a degree in International Business.
Daniel Kalule is the group's director and brainchild behind this group. "We used to play at weddings and receptions, dinners," he recalls. The group then used to be called Kampala Orchestra Band. Kalule plays violin, piano and the organ. He started off at Mengo Senior School, before he went to Makerere University to pursue a degree in music, German and communication skills. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma in Education with Music.
He says that the challenge that this group is facing is that most people don't appreciate classical music; the instruments employed in the orchestra also are very expensive. "But we are planning to stage more concerts and try to blend classical with pop," he says. The group will be performing at Serena Hotel starting at 7pm. There will also be an art exhibition and auctioning of Lillian Kwikiriza's works of art.
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