Safaricom Youth Orchestra nurturing classical musicians

Safaricom Youth Orchestra (SYO) performed their usual end-of-term-invite concert at Brookhouse School, Nairobi, on Sunday, July 24. This was the first time the orchestra was performing in front of an audience, following the recruitment of new members back in April 2.

The SYO’s pieces take one through an emotional roller coaster, from classics like Mozart’s Jupiter to the orchestra’s rendition of the Giriama folk song 'Safari ya Bamba'. The orchestra came together well despite close to half of them have been with the group for only 11 weeks.

From the difference in ethic, socio-economic, and even music knowledge came out smooth, crisp and vibrant music. Some of the symphonies, like Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, brought out a heap of emotions, from a depressing low, to a bubbly excitement, before culminating in a literal explosive high.

But besides the music, there are stories behind the orchestra’s musicians and none more unique than that of Brian Kepher and Michelle Oguya.

Brian, 21, is a percussionist whose speciality is in timpani. he is in the Youth Orchestra of Kenya, Nairobi Orchestra and Kenya Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra. Brought up in the Korogocho slums, Brian’s mum shed tears when he completed his high school — his father had been unable to raise the fees – after he secured funding from a mentor because of his musical interest.

SELF-TAUGHT CONDUCTOR

Ironically, his love for music only started in 2010, when as a scout he heard the KDF playing the national anthem at Nyayo Stadium. He is also a self-taught musical conductor — he conducts with Ghetto Classic Orchestra — and is a second year Bachelor of Music student.

“Conducting has been a personal tutorial effort; I don’t have a teacher because conducting is taught in fourth year at my university. I watch YouTube videos of the New York and Berlin philharmonic orchestras, London Symphony Orchestra,” says Brian.

He is among the older youth, and is amazed at how the young ones comprehend the task of bringing out the passion of music while practising for 'Safari ya Bamba'.

“It was amazing mixing classical instruments, like the violin, with African percussions, like maracas, ohangla drums and mabumbumbum,” says Brian.

He participated in the Commonwealth games in India as a percussionist in Scokendia Ensemble, which consisted of eight players each from Scotland, Kenya and India. He was the first African to be invited to the annual Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Germany. His conducting heroes are Gustavo Dudamel and Sir Simon Rattle.

He hopes to add philosophy to his mantle upon his graduation. He sat his end-of-semester-exams on Monday before leaving for Switzerland’s Lausanne Conservatory on Tuesday.

Michelle Oguya, on the contrary, is 16 years old and hopes to join Year 12 at St Andrew’s School, Turi, next term. She has been in the orchestra for the three years and has been playing the violin for nine years. Being in boarding school means she has to sit out a lot of the practice weekends. Michelle, who is also in her school’s choir, band and orchestra, rather sees this as a small disadvantage.

“The good thing is, we’re given the music earlier so we can easily practice anywhere. And sometimes my friends send me clips of what they’ve already done.”

Michelle speaks about the unity that has to be fostered in order for the pieces to come out as good as they do.

“I love the opportunity that SYO has given me, to be in the midst of really talented individuals to watch them grow, not just musically but as a whole,” says Michelle.

Her leadership skills saw her conducting the orchestra for their encore performance.