May Update
May 17, 2004

May Update

What's that phrase- Time flies by when you're having fun? The three of us had to go to Mexico City the first week in April to renew our visas, and took the opportunity to take a week for vacation. I realized I had not left San Miguel since we arrived in January! We returned for the last part of Semana Santa (Holy Week) to celebrate with the town. Good Friday is the most important day here, something new for me since Easter Sunday is celebrated more in the States. With every religious celebration or important day there is a procession where people carry either a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe, a cross, candles, flowers, incense or whatever is appropriate for that day. There are always two or three men in the back lighting fireworks- the ones that just make a huge noise and startle me every will think of San Miguel. It also seems to be fiesta time -Saint's Days, birthdays, Mothers Day, fiestas of the church, families having celebrations. I think the most interesting aspect about them is the combination of the Catholic religion and their native Aztec traditions- dances, dress, costumes, food (mole!), music, flower and cactus displays- all are done with their Nuhuatl traditions. We have been so generously invited to many of these family parties and had the opportunity to get to know our students and their families. I think I have eaten enough chicken and mole sauce to fill one of the huge vats they use to cook it in!

The most important fiesta day for the band was of course Cinco de Mayo. We had arranged the three one-line Mexican folk songs out of their books and strung them together with a percussion interlude and an audience participation section (clapping). We also wanted them to play something that they and the public would recognize, so we took the basic melody of the Hymn of the State of Puebla and arranged it for band. The students were playing for the first time in harmony, as well as the challenge of playing different rhythms- a lot for a band of two months to accomplish. But accomplish it they did and we were feeling confident the few days before. In addition to a lot of new notes and rhythms, the band learned about concert attire, setting up, and tearing down. The excitement just got stronger as each day got closer and themselves more ready. Finally the day came. The town program started with all the schools meeting in the center, each with their own military band (bugles and drums). In one long line they marched through the town with banners and flags following a float depicting the Mexican defeat over the French. When they returned to the center of town, a series of dances, poems, and scenes depicting traditional Mexican life were given by the junior high students. I began to get nervous about logistics- we were to meet at 11 in the band room, but the crowds were huge, we had students that were coming from school in Cuetzalan, I was going through all the students I was sure would be distracted by everything and forget. But, I had no reason to worry. All of our students were amazingly where they were supposed to be, ready to do their jobs. We set up the band and I had to practically stand guard over the percussion with the amount of little kids (and a few adults) that were curious. The band walked out of the band room into their positions, the whole while the town clapped and cheered. Reid led them through their scale warm up and before they were done the public started clapping again! We thought, hey, if they're impressed with this then we're in good shape! Next I led them through the Hymn of Puebla, and lastly, Aubrie conducted our folk song arrangement. We were so proud of them. A few little bumps here or there that come with live performance, but over all, near perfect. After, we were asked by many people to pose for pictures with their students. Our friend Esther told us that she overheard two mothers talking about their students- one that was so proud (and boasting) about her child in the band and the other complaining about how foolish hers was for quitting after the first week. Itís good to know that there are proud parents everywhere!

We had probably our most memorable experience with the students just this last Friday. In Mexico, May 15th is "Teachers Day" (why don't they have this in the States?!). After rehearsal on Friday, the three of us were surprised with a huge fiesta planned just for us- they brought dish after dish of food (prepared by a few of the band moms), presented us with gifts, a traditional folk band played and we were invited to dance the traditional dances at important celebrations. I for one was moved to tears- such generosity and appreciation. A number of the older students gave speeches about their long dream of a band and the gift of the three of us- one shared that St. Olaf and the three of us have opened a window for San Miguel to the greater things in life that are so often overlooked, and that no matter what, the three of us will be members of the San Miguel community forever. The next morning, at 6:30am, we were awoken to the sound of guitars and 15 students serenading us with "Las Manaitas" (Little Beloved Mornings), their birthday song, only with the words changed from "birthday" to "teacher day". Again, the three of us were taken back by the warmth of our students. Any moment of doubt about the helpfulness or good of our being here I have had these 4 months was washed away that morning.

Aubrie, Reid and I are amazed at the fact that we are winding down our time here in San Miguel. We have a final concert planned for May 29th. We again are pushing the limit, but are just as confident that the students will perform their best. In addition to preparing for the concert, we are preparing the band to be without us. For my own part, itís impossible not to get teary each time a student asks why we are leaving, why can't we return, or if we will ever come back. The other question is if others will be coming- something that the three of us along with St. Olaf and our friend David Brye are working hard on currently. But, until then, we have set up a committee of the older band members to keep the program going. With the theory books we bought in Puebla we are teaching the new leaders how to relate the concepts in those books to their lesson books. We were very excited to receive the second series of the Bruce Pearson Standard of Excellence methods, donated by Kjos Music publishing company, last week so they will be able to use music that is familiar and more at their level. As an addition to the books, we are making a video tape of us teaching a number of the songs with the new concepts so they are able to hear and read the new music, along with a small manual explaining the concepts in writing. They are also learning basics of conducting, good practice techniques for the group, how to best choose music, and organize a band. One or two in each section are learning about basic repairs for common problems we have run into. Finally, with the help of email, the three of us will always be available for questions or concerns. It will still be hard for them, but seeing the devotion and care our students put into each day, we are confident that they will not let it die.

Well, we are off to rehearsal now, working on La Cucaracha (in honor of all our pequenos amigos in our house), Canciones Folcloricos, and a progression of the concepts and songs they have learned, each featuring a different section. All have new notes, concepts, and tough rhythms- we better get back to work!

Thanks again for your support and interest!
Rachel Widen