Supporting 20 talented students to study music

The President of Uganda announced the full. The opening up and return to schools for many students was a welcome thing, with very many happy to resume. Many students had been closed out of learning due to school closures, restricted movement or both.

Students who had not been to school for over 80 weeks were just happy to return to regular school. Similarly, those studying music and instruments were happy to return to Kampala Music School.

One such student is Ian, a student of the B flat trumpet. Ian was very excited to hear that KMS had reopened. The news found him at home. He was excited to hear about KMS reopening because it immediately meant that he would be able to have more classes and more practice.

His teacher Shafic is also pleased to have Ian back. “Ian is extremely self-driven and is always hungry to learn. Learning new material highly motivates him.” The short-term goal is Grade 4 ABRSM and being ready for any performance that may come along. In the long term, Ian is working towards Grade 8 ABRSM. Shafique is also really, really excited to have him back. The enthusiasm was really evident in his voice and face. “ Teaching students such as Ian is fulfilling as he has big goals and ambitions. Having him back is a great experience especially given how much time we lost with the various lockdowns.”

For some of the students, a hybrid option for lessons ensures continuity in their sessions. One such student, Irene, has both physical and online depending on the circumstances. For instance, it rain hinders her ability to attend lessons, as it’s hard to get to KMS. When this happens, they have an online class.

Although she was studying all through covid, she is finding this so much better.” I get more during physical, body posture and explanations are better understood”. Many a time, though, the internet will just not hold up. The reopening news found her at home as she was doing coursework. “Seeing the teacher physically is so much better. When doing a piece, it’s hard for the teacher to accompany when the lesson is online.”

Her teacher, Francis, said, “We are working towards grade five ABRSM, sorting out her sight-singing and intonation issues; she is improving steadily. She is highly motivated, given that she is also studying music at the degree level. At the moment, it is such a big relief to have them physically. Such fun!”

St. Mary Kevin School suffered the most through the lockdown as schools were closed entirely. 30 students were studying violin but sadly had their studies disrupted. In addition, 80 weeks meant that some would end up dropping out of school, and the return, according to school officials, is slow. The programme will have to start afresh, as only three students from before remain, now in the candidate year, P7. School policy means that these three students need to focus on their regular school.

Both the teacher and the school are happy that these lessons are resuming. However, Sam, their teacher, is sad that none of the 30 he was teaching before can continue. But, hope abounds as this week a new 30 will start their journey.

The positive news of the pandemic beginning to ease and schools reopening is very positive on very many fronts. The teachers are thrilled to see the students again physically, and those who can make it are delighted to resume.

The future seems bright again, as all programmes get kick started again. We look forward to more students coming on to the programme. We continue to thank all for their continued consistency in giving to keep this programme alive. KMS hopes to keep on developing talent and changing lives.

Greetings from Kampala Music School. With Schools continuing to be closed and some restrictions on movement still on, most students have been unable to continue with lessons. This has been disconcerting for some as the earliest we look like we will be open is in January next year, when the Ugandan population will have reached the vaccination thresholds as set by the government.

However, a select few on this programme have been able to carry on with lessons virtually. These talented students have been going places which has been great for them and their progress, and in some cases as we see below, they have been really encouraging.

Atim (16),a new student on the bursary programme, started lessons in September. She is currently working towards the ABRSM Performance Grade 4 and hopes to be ready by December 2021 and likewise her ABRSM Grade 3 theory exams by early next year. Four pieces are required for this unique exam. One piece is almost in the bag, and she will soon start on the second one.Theory lessons are also going well, with three topics so far covered. The target is to sit this exam in 2022.

Her Teacher, Mr. Kawere, is sure that they can achieve these set targets because she is highly self-motivated and eager to learn new material.

Akena (15) had initially set out to do the ABRSM Performance Grade 2 in December 2021 but has progressed so quickly, much to his teacher's surprise. He managed to learn all four pieces set out in just six lessons playing them to such a high degree, with superb musicality and excellent technique. As a result, his teacher Mr Kawere decided to push on to Grade 3, and he has already taken a massive step towards his first of four pieces. Just like Atim, he is also working towards the Grade 2 ABRSM theory examination.

Irene (20) Is a high Soprano pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Music at Makerere University. This term finds her working on improving sight-singing and intonation, which seem to be the main challenges. There has been significant improvement in this area. She is currently working on Grade 5 songs and various performance techniques. "She is a very hard working and determined person, and I believe we are on the right track", says her teacher, Mr. Francis D Mutesasira.

Unlike many other students on the bursary programme, Irene has been able to attend lessons online. "My voice lessons have been quite the experience. I also prepare for them like I would for an actual physical class. I even mind how I will look on the camera. I even had to inform my family members about my time of class, and they respected it. At the start, I was a little concerned, wondering if I'd be able to learn and understand the songs, keys, warm-ups, but amazingly, I've progressed just fine though I think I prefer physical classes".

Then there was the challenge of the internet sometimes. I had to mark my spot where I could have my lessons uninterrupted.

Overall, I've successfully had my lessons, and I've improved a lot in my singing. I'm happy that KMS was able to support online classes because I would not have learnt what I know now."

Amelia's guitar classes have been going on well. The brief let up, and physical opening up after the first lockdown allowed the teacher and student to meet to cover some areas they could not do over Zoom.

Amelia is a diligent and self-motivated student and has a very high attendance record. Her biggest struggle is thoroughly understanding music theory. The internet infrastructure, however, continues o be a challenge and makes learning difficult.

Other than that, all is well and previously in lockdown at times, and the network instability was our main challenge.

KMS is hoping that some of the students will be able to resume classes in a few weeks, but there is no clear indication of this given the diversity of the student population. Another report soon will follow on some of the other students on the programme

We thank you for the continued support of the talented student programme. We hope that in this time you can support the school in continuing to do its work also as we start to look towards the New Year when we expect that schools shall reopen and we can return to total productivity.