Help Brazil street children

Dear Donor,
   This past holiday brought the Bay Area and Canoa Quebrada closer together as Nina, Brendan and I visited Canoa Quebrada. This was Brendan’s first visit to Brazil after 5 years of organizing for Music for Canoa. Brendan, a bassist in several Bay Area bands, donated a bass and held workshops for an aspiring bassist named Waldir, who is a teacher in the strings program. Waldir is currently learning reggae basslines in order to share with his students. Reggae, so similar in rhythm to the northeastern xote and baiao, is the music of choice for many youth in this part of Brazil and Waldir and Maestro Adriano intends to bring the big band and the string group together to play reggae and other popular Brazilian styles on different occasions.
   Shortly after our arrival the Music for Canoa band put on a holiday presentation. The community came out to support the youth and enjoyed traditional holiday songs and a theater troupe from the Crianca da Luz school. After the festivities the band went on holiday break and we sat down to plan the new year with Mayumi Suzuki, Maestro Adriano and his wife and a member of the band, Patricia Perreira. At the meeting Patricia, a long time participant in the program, stepped up to take on local fund raising responsibilities and began organizing a used clothing sale and a raffle. We all agreed that for the program to be successful long-term, the participants and parents must also invest in it. After discussing logistics and agreeing to a new effort to enroll younger students, the Maestro voiced some ideas about expanding the possibilities and reach of the program. The Maestro would like to add a drum set in order to play more varied styles and provide an opportunity for youth to learn an instrument that is in high demand. The Maestro would also like to purchase more sound equipment for presentation purposes. This would include a proper bass amp, a mixing board, two PA speakers, and a monitor speaker.
   Our trip was a great chance to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and see the growth of our youth and shared project. The youth are excited about the possibility of playing drums and bass and continuing to perform for their peers and community. We thank you for your continued support and hope the new year brings you health and happiness.

Axe,
Andrew McKleroy

SANY 1621 (a pic of Waldir)

Pictures:

• SANY1621.jpg (JPG)