I was really tired that day, so if I get the order of things jumbled up don't sue me. And don't ask me to even try and name all the songs we went over during the workshop.
We started out the day with the Youth choir, who got a short tutorial on African percussion instruments before heading off to make their crafts. Some of the Youth were pulled away from crafts briefly to learn some rhythms to play during certain Children's Choir songs. When they were done, the Youth were able to watch short videos of the Soweto Gospel Choir, the Mzansi Youth Choir, and the African Children's Choir.
Then, it was the Children's Choir's turn to learn about African percussion instruments and do their craft. After they were done, both choirs had their lunch break.
Then, the Minis and Littles arrived! All the choirs then sang through some of their together songs, and while the Littles and Minis did their crafts and the Children's Choir rehearsed a few songs, the Youth got authentic African snacks (beignets) supplied by a friend of CP's who moved here from the Congo a few years ago. Then the Youth and Children's Choir switched places, and then the Littles and Minis got their turn with the snacks.
There was more singing after that, and the Youth choir did their gumboot dance, and we said goodbye to the Minis and Littles while the Children's and Youth rehearsed a few more songs. Eventually, the Children's and Youth left as well, and the helpers stayed behind to rehearse "It Takes a Whole Village" and get the room back the way it was.
If anyone's interested in seeing more videos of the Soweto Gospel Choir, Mzansi Youth Choir, or African Children's Choir, just leave a comment and I'll put up a few videos here sometime soon.
KM