lørdag 8. mars 2014

Composer, double bassist and music teacher in Immanuel Music School!


 One day our pastor in Immanuel Church, Chanda Saiyota, came and told me he had been contacted by a person who wanted to come and help teaching in Immanuel Music School. That was good news, but I didn't believe it could be true what he told me, that the volunteer teacher was a musician and played double bass.
 But here at these pictures you can see, it was true. Even better than I could imaging, the man, whose name is Stephan Maniam, is also a composer and a music teacher. He has been cycling on his bike around the world for more than two years, and now he felt God wanted him to stay in Bangkok for a while. He is also helping out in two other organisations, but he comes to Immanuel Church three afternoons/evening a week. On the picture above you can see Kru Steve (as the children call him) teaching music theory and how the students can make their own songs and arrangements. He is also playing and helping out in our string orchestra and our small chamber group as you see on the picture below.
Now is also the opportunity to learn to play double bass in Immanuel Music School. During my 15 years here in Thailand this is the first time we have someone available who can teach how to play this instrument. In Immanuel Music School we don't have our own double bass yet, because it is very expensive to buy, but I am very happy we got the opportunity to rent an instrument for a half year.
Wow, Man had been learning to play double bass for only one lesson, and was then able to play double bass in the worship band the coming Sunday!