It is hard to believe I´m moving into the final stretch of my time in Bolivia, but here I am: mid-March, finally feeling settled into a workable routine, full into the swing of music as I´m preparing my students for the big international baroque music festival, and celebrating some long-fought-for funds for the music school. While the beginning part of my term felt much like a downpour of challenges and wheel-spinning, trying to get things moving, the table has turned and the downpour is like a refreshing spring rain: exciting, fast-paced (or as fast as you get in Bolivia), richer with more community connections and a sense of feeling rooted.
Novedades (What´s new) from past few months:
--Began teaching 3-7th graders during school hours--young kids learning folk songs and basic music theory, older kids recorders. I continue to teach a beginning orchestra, a youth choir, and a high-school-aged chamber orchestra after school.
¡Estudiantes! (i tried to tell them to stand up straight but they wouldn´t listen)
--Prep for the Baroque Music Festival, which includes: incentive for kids to come to rehearsal (!), designing and organizing community to make traditional Chiquitano tunics for the kids to wear, traveling to neighboring towns to see performing spaces and organize concerts...
Traveling with my counterpart Filomena and her grandson, Duby
--FINALLY seeing the benefits of raising funds for the school... amid the frustrating state of Bolivian beauocracy, this is a HUGE blessing - something long fought for and finally received. The children will have much-needed materials for the festival! New strings, rosin, new bridges to replace the bridges destroyed by the tropical climate... oh, it is a happy day.
--Enjoyed participating in the events and customs of Semana Santa (always huge in latin-american catholic culture). Highlight included recording one of Santiago´s folk musicians play La Marcha Fúnebre (Funeral March), notating it, teaching it to the young orchestra violinists, and then joining the abuelos (elderly, respected folk musicians) in a late-night procession around the center square, remembering the mournful walk on Good Friday, carrying Jesus´ body to the tomb. It was quite moving.
--Aside from music, time taken to visit community members and learning more about some of the arts and crafts the townspeople of Santiago are involved with.
Ervin, Hilda y Alex - nuevos amigos
Züpfe for Easter in Santiago, Visiting the Menno church in Santa Cruz, Cruceña politial hype
And there´s more news! I am celebrating the offer of a JOB back in Harrisonburg upon my return: given that my references and other logistical details come through, I will be teaching music at Smithland Elementary school - a school with over 50% Spanish-speaking immigrants in the fall. The opportunity is truly a gift!
Thanks to all for your prayers and support. I continue to be sustained by knowing community is behind me at home, and feeling my community in Bolivia grow. As I read recently, la vida es la lucha - life is the struggle. As we struggle, we find ourselves and we help the world grow towards the new kingdom. May we all stay strong in our struggle!
(from atop the rock pillar Chochis, where all is so
beautiful even gravity seems to lose its effect.)
