Music Crossing Borders

[Dennis K.]

Hi All,

In America, we frequently take some things for granted. Like the freedom to play the music we want, or the freedom to worship God in the manner we see fit. Occasionally, those two freedoms collide in some countries, or are non-existent in others.

My wife, Emily (a violinist), has been to a particular country a few times in the name of cultural exchange. A missionary that works in that same country set up master-classes for her to teach and a few concert performances. The country in question is extremely poor. For example, a set of cheap violin strings costs around US $50. By comparison, a medical doctor makes approx. $20/month.

So this is how they cope: There was a student violinist who was getting a really awful sound. Turns out, her strings were stripped telephone wire. She was also told she could not attend the national conservatory if she was a practicing Christian.
Emily gave her the strings off her violin after her last performance there. She has also gotten aid from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which now collects all used strings, old mouthpieces, bottles of valve oil, rosin, reeds, and instruments that are not being used.

Now to the point:
There was a young Flutist attending the national conservatory (She was also told not to waste her time with anything religious). She, and a few other students are active believers, but they keep that part of their lives under wraps. The missionary that arranged passage for Emily requested some music for her graduation recital, and specifically asked for something Christian. Emily wrote a piece, gratis for this student. The flutist received the piece last winter, but was denied permission to perform it. But, she practiced the piece with other musicians who are believers anyway. Shortly before her recital, she was finally given permission to play it. She already had the musicians rehearsed and on hand ready to play.

This piece is now available through my publishing company. HOWEVER, I am handling this one in a different way. All proceeds from the sale of this piece will go directly to the fine arts missions in this particular country. Therefore, the sale will go through a sponsoring church - which happens to make it tax deductible.
The piece is for solo flute and chamber orchestra. It is based on the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Instrumentation is for Solo Flute, 2 Clarinets, Bassoon, 3 Violins, 2 Cellos. (This happens to be the instrumentation of the group of Believers at the conservatory.) Duration is about 4.5 minutes, difficulty is comparable to an undergraduate recital piece. Cost $20.

If anyone would be interested in purchasing this piece for a friend flutist (or violinist) or perhaps your local church, please contact me directly, and I will send you payment details.

[Dennis K.]

Great work, but why the secret spy, hiding the "particular" country? People might be more likely to just give a donation if they know what country their dollars are helping. Blind donations are pretty small. Just a suggestion...

I agree, but there are some issues, such as travel restrictions which require a US Treasury license every time the border is crossed, and the fact it is a Communist country. Actually, the reason for not mentioning the country is more for the protection of those that live there.

PS. In addition to playing violin, my wife also plays "fidel".

[Dennis K.]

Cool idea!

Back 2001 the NG band I play in went down to Nicaragua for 12 days for the closing of a big goodwill mission that was happening. We ended up playing the closing ceremony with the Nicaraguan Army Band. Their instruments were in various degrees of disrepair much as you describe. Trombones that felt like sand had been poured down the slides, fiberglass sousas in quite rough shape, trumpets with dented valve casings, etc... but man could they play! We gave them every single expendable item we had with us. It was a great gig.

That is a great story! A tuba player that went with Emily on her first trip "loaned" his tuba to a player there. He had to leave a letter saying that it was on loan and that he would return for it, otherwise, it would become the property of the state.

Where's my hand-rolled cigar?.

[Dennis K.]

this is wonderful. i will pass this to other musicians in my city. is there a website or contact info for this?

http://www.fbca.org/worship.aspx?pid=564

In the contact info, either Kim or Emily can be of assistance.
Check out the photo...

[LoyalTubist]

In most of Southeast Asia, it isn't difficult to find musical instruments, parts, or repair services. This isn't true about Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and much of China, where Western music is rare to begin with.