This morning we traveled by boat up the coast of Livingston to spend the morning hiking, DIVING and swimming. No one hurt; everyone feeling accomplished and "rested"! Below this set of pictures is our evening with the Garifuna Orchestra! Here is a link to more information on the Garifuna people and culture.
We had the most remarkable opportunity to engage and music with the Garifuna Orchestra- this is a social project bringing the community together to experience and recognize the rich heritage of these people. We worked with MASTER teachers- kind, giving, loving - pedagogical care with our students (this has probably been the most powerful part of the trip: watching how others think about what it means to "teach".
Student Response:
From our time in Livingston I felt like I observed a very distinct culture through the Garifuna musicians and dancers. It was obvious that they took pride in their music as an expression of their culture and it was an honor to participate in some music making and dancing. By being engulfed in the culture it was much easier to understand because I could feel it. Instead of defining culture through media, values, music etc. I am beginning to believe culture is simply a shared feeling based in a community.
When we had the opportunity to take part in Garifuna music, I noticed that the director of the ensemble had an interesting pedagogy. Instead of teaching instrument by instrument, silencing other parts to be sure that every musician is playing the music properly, he instructed us to play and learn together; as one part began playing, another was added without cutting off the other parts. I thought this was a very interesting approach because it forced me to pay close attention to the other players, instead of simply focusing on my own part. I think this speaks to a greater pedagogy that connects every aspect of the Garifuna music. The music that we played, the players that created the music, the dancers and the director, all shared parts that were of equal importance. I think in comparison to Western education, which tends to have central themes or ideas, this has taught me that music (especially) is as much about the connection and inclusion of and with community, as it is with the end product.
Student Response:
From our time in Livingston I felt like I observed a very distinct culture through the Garifuna musicians and dancers. It was obvious that they took pride in their music as an expression of their culture and it was an honor to participate in some music making and dancing. By being engulfed in the culture it was much easier to understand because I could feel it. Instead of defining culture through media, values, music etc. I am beginning to believe culture is simply a shared feeling based in a community.
When we had the opportunity to take part in Garifuna music, I noticed that the director of the ensemble had an interesting pedagogy. Instead of teaching instrument by instrument, silencing other parts to be sure that every musician is playing the music properly, he instructed us to play and learn together; as one part began playing, another was added without cutting off the other parts. I thought this was a very interesting approach because it forced me to pay close attention to the other players, instead of simply focusing on my own part. I think this speaks to a greater pedagogy that connects every aspect of the Garifuna music. The music that we played, the players that created the music, the dancers and the director, all shared parts that were of equal importance. I think in comparison to Western education, which tends to have central themes or ideas, this has taught me that music (especially) is as much about the connection and inclusion of and with community, as it is with the end product.