I taught a guy called Michael this morning. He is 19 and has finished High School and will be starting at University this year. Since the last cello teacher left, Virginia, he apparently hasn't played too much because he was working towards his end of school exams (which were in November I think). He is just now getting into playing again and is practising everyday. I would say he is about grade 4 standard but we will do some playing in the lessons and maybe I'll enter him for an exam later this year. We'll see how it goes. He's quite good. Has a good bow hold. Did some work on the sound he was making, which had greatly improved by the end of the lesson. He also started learning a piece with Virginia, a piece I don't know, but I think we'll get to the end of that then start thinking of exam stuff.
It rained a lot today, so was cooler - and also muddier! There was time for practise today, as we waited at school until 4 for our first musicianship class. We had a grand total of 5 students - I think more peole would have come if it hadnt rained! We decided to teach them intervals and the songs that go with them, eg, perfect 4th - 'Here comes the bride..', major 6th - 'My bonnie...' etc. They picked it up pretty quickly, and were probably more enthusaistic due to the chocolates Sam had brought! It ended with a fun game of bingo for the remaining chocolates. I think they enjoed themselves and hopefully the word will spread and more people will come next week.
I stayed on for the Kampala singers rehearsal at 6. This is an adult choir that rehearses at KMS, they are singing the choir part for the Coronation Mass (to be played in the Anniversary Concert in March). It was a good and productive rehearsal, I'm not sure if I'll go again though as I'm playing in the Orchestra and can't multi-task that well! Sam is going to a school tomorrow to do some teaching which should be good for him. Apparently we might go to a primary school to give music lessons which will be a great experience for us both I'm sure.
The whole place has been taken over by 'Obama Mania'. I got home to find the whole family plus the staff watching the TV wearing Obama tshirts. Great fun though. I'm sure he will do well.
Bye for now. X