The Brighams Of Baltimore

The language of music once again breached two cultures.

My family and I went today to the Ugandan side of The Uganda Baltimore Alliance (TUBA) after contacting Amy Klosterman in Baltimore. The idea was for me to teach some of the classically trained musicians…the blues. To say I had an attentive audience would be an understatement! Each of my words were hastily eaten up, and every time I spoke they turned around to face me. Once one of the piano players kept playing while I was speaking and was soon reprimanded…by his peers! I can’t remember a time when I was with this extreme level of devotion to me.

I worked with them on the regular blues in C and on soloing with the blues scale. They were quick learners and soon we had written a song. We never got to hear it all the way through as the used Middle Eastern (and in Arabic) electric piano’s cords temporarily broke. Needless to say they were excited and ready to practice for when I come back.

Another interesting part of the day was when we heard an acapella group sing. We were in the middle of a farm next to a dirt road leading to the center of town. You could see the animals walking around nearby. You could feel the grass and dirt below you as you sat down. You could hear… the most outstanding acapella music you’ve only heard but on the radio or TV. They hit the audience with a slap in the face. Even the Peabody students (who had come over to help teach the kids) were suprised.

Afterwards my family and our taxi driver embarked on the journey back home on the bumpy but faster backroads in the countryside. The bottom of the car and I grimaced over every bottom-outing bump. We had to get out of the car and walk once so the car could force itself over one particularly large bump in the road. It was all in all a good day and I can’t wait to come back as is planned to finish the song.

—Greer

Hello Friends,

An impression to add to Leland’s post describing our arrival.

Our plane flight from Istanbul to Entebbe had a group of 20 americans from a church in Hawaii. 18 mostly young women, a handsome, cool-looking male minister whom they all likely have a crush on (or more)… and his makeup covered rock star looking wife who probably did not want to go on the trip, but had to to keep an eye on things. Also on the plane, were two Ugandan nuns in full, conservative regalia. As we exited the plane in Entebbe, the nuns passed up the narrow aisle from the rear of the plane through the group from Hawaii standing at their seats. When the nuns passed the minister, for some reason I expected to see eye contact and a nod or other gesture from the minister (in his black under armour long sleeve and jeans), but there was nothing. Both parties in Uganda to convert and support the citizens… with their faith being their common ground. Over the past week we have seen many, many christian schools. An impressive commitment to education and the raising of new followers.

Harry ‘Mazungu’