The Rookery

 Today we went to Macalester College to hear their African Music Ensemble.  The group, lead by Sowah Mensah, does a beautiful job introducing the children to African music and the place that music, dance and ceremony have in the cultures of Africa, especially his home country of Ghana.

As I watched, I was struck at how the group worked together, watching each other and their leader (who often was seated to the side of the group, not in front of it).  From tiny cues, the rhythm would suddenly shift, the music change.

The final song afforded us the opportunity to join the ensemble.  Sowah taught us a simple vocal refrain and a clapping pattern.  Then he and his group wove a beautiful song around us.  A dancer came out and children were invited to join her on stage in a simple circle dance — there were no verbal instructions, she simply gestured and children joined her as the music continued.  With no formal instruction and no sheet music, the entire auditorium would suddenly stop our part and then continue when the music called for us again.  Then, miraculously, we all ended the song together — no errant clap, no song echoing as people realized everyone else had stooped.  Instead, the song was over and we all felt it and responded.

It's a powerful feeling to be a part of something.  To work in an ensemble, which in French means "together."  No one person is more important than any other, you all depend on each other.  It's a feeling that Rachel is able to produce in her music classes and one that, on our best days, the Herons have in our daily work.  We all feel and sense the rhythm.  We are all a part of the work.  Nobody has to tell us what to do, we simply know.

If you'd like to hear the ensemble — here is a sample.  It doesn't do the music justice though.  Some of the drums are over seven feet high. This is music that you don't just hear, you feel.  Their winter concert is free and open to the public (although Sowah suggested people come early)  Call Macalester for information.