Scotland and Glasgow in particular, has been a wonderful experience! The Kenyan group was greeted with the true Glasgow weather (as they refer to it here) the first day we arrived but we survived it and had so much fun getting to know the city and is people…and of course ceilidh dancing! The city is beautiful and its people are generally quite friendly and warm.
It was wonderful getting to meet all the other fantastic musicians and the conductor the following day, and kind of putting faces to the names and profiles you have read online. The whole group gelled really well and fast, we became one big happy Scokendia family. The rehearsals were long (as expected) but extremely fruitful. I have learned a lot in the past week. We were all a bit nervous just before the very first concert (which was yesterday) but it was a success, the audience really enjoyed themselves!
The day was also extra special because it was the birthday of one of our musicians (and a significant one too-18!)
In the course of the week we were also privileged to attend and experience first-hand some Live Now Music concerts; the experience being one I will not forget in a long time. It is amazing how much music is able to cut across; culture, language, social class, even illness. It is truly a gift to all of us.
To top it up, today we got to watch Nicola Benedetti play; she is amazing! In addition, we also watched a mega-orchestra comprised of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra come together to give a phenomenal performance.
So far, I have learnt a lot; musically, culturally and socially… and I may be falling in love with Glasgow (cue in Loch Lomond song)
🙂
Scokendia 