Nótan 2011- Part II

We did it!! That was awesome! The kids played soooooo well, jumping, feeling the music, happiness, just like music has to be! And not just our kids, many others perfomed like masters! I would not like to be in the skin of the judges, because all of players, soloists, bands, orchestras were amazing, and  choosing just few of them sounds like unfair, and that is the bad part of contests.

But in our point of view all the performances were victorious and gave us some kind of hope about the music future and also human future. We are proud of our students and we are proud of our mates, music teachers who are doing a great effort passing the vibe of music.

But let's skip the chat and see our pupils!!

 More photos here and here!

The video of the marimba's number

The day after, all the winners were recording and giving interviews for the icelandic TV channel Rúv.

So, let's keep going with the good work guys and prepare yourselves for the next challenge! Congratulation everybody involved who support this beatifull days!

Nótan 2011

On the 19th of March, the Marimba players from Hafralækjarskóli went to Eskifjörður playing for a place in the big final of the National Icelandic music contest called Nótan. The first part was a regional eliminatory for the north and east.

After a lot of practice and work, here is the result:

The day was amazing, if you do not think about the road conditions because of the snowing, of course... :) And their performance was quite remarkable I shall say!

Now, the next step is Reykjavík on the 26th, but we should feel proud of what we have done so far, we are victorious!!

Many talented kids from different places like Reyðarfjörður, Fáskruðsfjörður, Stöðvafjörður, Akureyri, Dalvík, Seyðsfjörður, Húsavík and of course Hafralækjarskóli.

Receiving the trophy, full of emotions!

A nice video made by Einar Bragi music teacher in Seyðisfjörður. Thanks Einar!

Many many thanks specially to the parents who drove the kids and helped to carry all that heavy marimbas, and Harpa, the head master for the support! 

The next post will be from Reykjavík, so see you there and wish us good luck!!

Marimbas Concert in Menningarhúsið Hof

On the 29th of August, the group of marimbas Hafralækjarskóli played in the inauguration of the new culture house HOF, in Akureyri. It was a great moment where everyone could experience a little bit of the joy of African music on a beautiful sunny day. All who were present were touched by the performance of the students and wanted to know more about the magic of the sound of the marimbas. Thanks very much everyone present in the organization, students, and parents.

And after a lovely summer vacation, we are back... We would like to tell everyone that we have a new teacher in the school, Lisa McMaster. She will be teaching trumpet, flute, and singing!! Welcome Lisa.

Zimba Marimba Summer Camp 2010- Sweden

Happened between the 9th and 14th of August the third Zimba Marimba Summer Camp in Varberg-Sweden. A great event that brought together students, teachers and supporters of African music from around the world: Iceland, South Africa, Gambia, Guinea, United States, among others. Teachers and students from Hafralækjarskoli, Husavik and Akureyri participated. The camp was organized by Peta Axelson, mentor and director of the group of marimbas Zimba Marimba and Anna Forsvall Lundmark. Excellent workshops with masters of African music and dance: Sabar drums, Zimababwe dance, African marimba and djembe. We, the Hafralaekjarskóli teachers only have to thank for the great opportunity to meet so special people and having great moments where everyone, no matter where they come from, they had a common goal: learning and sharing. Moments like those remind us of how the world should be. Thanks Peta and friends!

Julia Tsitsi Chigamba: master dancer, singer and instrumentalist from Zimbabwe.

Sousou Cissoko: one of the rare female Kora player in the world.

Max Soumah: brilliant dancer from Guinea Conakry, West Africa.

Baboucar Camara: master of sabar drumming from Njawara.

Marimbas

Here in Hafralækjarskóli we are continuing the great job of Robert Faulkner, who introduced the spirit of the marimbas in the school. Working with this kind of instruments is very satisfactory and stimulating because the students have to work together to make music. It means paying more atention to what each other is playing. Improve, to ge into the rhythm. The marimba's groups work very fine.! Today, we have 4 marimba's groups: Enrice, the blowing instrument teacher works with the youngest group (6 -7 years) or Yngsta Stig  in icelandic. Maurício and Kelly have 3 marimba's groups, the Yngsta stig (9 years), the Miðstig Marimba and  the Unglingastig Marimba. Now, they are learning and improving some african songs and some Maurício's compositions. We will add some recordings  here, very soon!

Yngsta Stig Marimba

 

 Miðstig Marimba