Makin' Music

I took the day off of work to hang out at the kids' school and help with the instrument making classes. Oh my god! I am so tired! How do teachers do this everyday?

We had a great day though. Sean & Anne are just amazing. We started off with the primary students. We made little shakers out of bamboo, balsa wood, and BBs. Then we made harps out of rubber bands and tupperware (or salad bowls). The kids loved it! We were a little more organized by the second group so they got a chance to use their shakers. Sean led a few patterns then they did a song together. (The upper elementary kids also helped us out all morning which was awesome.)

Next we had lunch with the elementary students and I finally got to try out Chef Steven's amazing lunches. (Lasagna!) I also got to observe as the kids set the table with actual linens, real plates and flatware, pitchers of water, etc. Then we were done, we all helped clear the tables and then composted our fruit scraps. It warmed my heart as you might imagine. (Better than the earth, right?)

One we were full and happy we went to work setting up for the elementary class--outside. (The rain that sent us indoors in the morning never materialized.) The big kids had a much more complicated task at hand: rainstick/guiros. This involved them cutting their bamboo with hacksaws, curing them with a blowtorch, filling them with nails and BBs (or popcorn seeds), and securing them with fabric, rubber bands, and twine.

You heard me!

It was very daunting at the outset, but it all came together thanks to several volunteers and the natural tendency for the students to help each other out. To say I was impressed was an understatement.

The best part? Several times Satchel came up to me and said, "Mom, this is a great day!"

It was also pretty awesome how much stuff I learned today. Don't tell Warren that it was my first time using a hacksaw!


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