music – Goducate … Go And Educate!

2011-07-122011-07-13

Goducate’s music program seeks a sound-proof home

Goducate’s music program in Laguna has been very successful in attracting youth to its music programs. Besides learning to play an instrument, the youth learn discipline, teamwork, get an opportunity to earn some income and even music scholarships to get back to school.

Presently 242 children from 11 villages are enrolled in the program. They are taught by 4 Goducate staff. 25 of them are part of the main orchestra and 16 are part of the junior orchestra. 38 of these orchestra members also serve as teachers to the younger ones – fulfilling Goducate’s philosophy that we “teach people to help themselves, and then they go on to help others,” thus creating a movement that we hope will continue to transform the lives of many Filipino youth.

There is no lack of youth who want to join our program. The bottle-neck is the availability of music instruments and a place to play their instruments. Beginners learning to play an instrument do not make music, they make painful noises! Imagine yourself living next door to a energetic group of rookie musicians!!

Goducate has been looking to rent a place in the town of Bay (Laguna) to serve as a place for music practice. With adequate sound proofing, our energetic youth can practice without sending our neighbors crazy.

A place has been identified in the town of Bay (Laguna) that is central enough for the youth to come for their practice sessions. This place can also serve as a place where youth can gather to enjoy wholesome company and learn good moral values.

2011-05-252011-05-27

Goducate holds 2nd summer music workshop in Laguna (2)

At this year’s summer music workshop we were fortunate to have Elaine Mallari from the Manila Symphony Orchestra come to teach the violin on the first day. She also gave John Ericson, the Goducate Orchestra’s principal cello player, a short lesson.

The 13 students who each received a violin donated by Wolfgang Violin Studio (Singapore) earlier this year when Channel News Asia did a TV programme on the Goducate Orchestra will form our Junior String Orchestra.

Students who are not learning to play an instrument received voice training.

What we still lack are competent teachers in the viola, cello, double bass and clarinet.

3-400 — Elaine Mallari training the students who will form the Junior String Orchestra

1-400 — John Ericson teaching Jerome (last year a guitar student) how to play the cello

6-400 — Students undergoing voice training

8-400 — Mariane and Mary Jane practising the clarinet

2011-05-092011-05-10

Goducate Orchestra member tops her class

Last month three members of the Goducate Orchestra—Jessica Evangelista (flautist), Mariel Camposo (violinist), and Kimberly Cabalfin (violinist)—graduated from high school in Laguna. Through an informal arrangement Goducate was invited to present them with Certificates of Recognition at the school’s graduation ceremony. This presentation was a complete surprise to the students and their parents.

Jessica graduated as class valedictorian. She received 11 medals and numerous certificates for her various extracurricular activities. Her parents were surprised that she topped the class because she spent so much time on orchestra practice. Asked how she managed, she said, “Thank you for the Goducate Orchestra, for the discipline that it taught me. One thing I Iearn that being an orchestra member is just like you are studying in school. Being an orchestra member, you need to persevere, you need to listen carefully to the conductor, you need to practice the skills and knowledge that the teacher teaches you. And the same principles you need in studying in school. That’s why, the principles I acquired being an orchestra member, I applied it when I was studying high school”.

Jessica’s mother told me that when Mrs Calora, the lady who donated the land for the school, heard that Jessica received a Certificate of Recognition from Goducate for her services as a volunteer going to villages to teach other children music, Mrs Calora was impressed and said that she would look for sponsors to help young people like Jessica.

It made me realize that there are people willing to help the needy but they don’t know who to support. Goducate helps the needy to help themselves and others, and to draw these people to the attention of sponsors.