03 December 2007

Prior to the Opening of the Andiamo Music School, Charles Sinetre, who is the Director of School, organised an Open day to tell the Nation the objectives and importance of having such a school in Malawi. Among the Dignitaries that came to the call of the Invitation were:

Hon. John Bande - as the guest of honour.- Deputy Minister
Hon. Billy Kaunda - as guest musician . - Deputy Minister
Professor John Howard - President of the Themes Valley University Exam Board
Lucious Kanyumba - Special trustee of Andiamo Trust
Ministry of Education Representatives
Village heads
Party Officials....

The Guest of honour had this to say......

"Music Unites people, it brings people of different races, background, religion, political parties e.t.c together if it is done in a proper way.
It is my hope that the Music School being introduced to Malawi will produce Musician that will have the mindset of good music.
Balaka is blessed, most of the things present here are of 1st class other then even in major cities. Balaka is doing alot towards the development of the country through Andiamo and Fr. Mario with teh catholic church, take for example the Transformation of politics during the Kamuzu era.

Please, Malawians, let us take well good of all the Resources available and find alternatives to sustain them. We should give the Donors an idea to say when they are gone Andiamo will move on, and Malawi will be at the peak of prosperity.

I am very happy to be here, because I am home, and I grew up here. Andiamo family is big looking at its fruits, it has produced very important figures in the society like journalists, producers, lawyers and even cabinet ministers like myself and my colleague Honorable Billy.

I will take every opportunity that government assist in the development of the live hood of young people taking into consideration the initiative so far done by Andiamo under Fr Mario and the Italian Donors."

Fr. Mario took the floor with alot of jokes that left everybody laughing and made very important points
" Happy that what has been a dream has now folded but not fully because it is just been planted then there is a requirements that it has been watered for it to grow and bear fruits.He urged government to come in and assist. These activities are for the youth of Malawi and for Malawi. Andiamo through Padre Mario had planted the tree, Government and other Donor should see the growth of the tree which is the Music school."

Professor John Howard thanked Andiamo for organizing the Day and the idea of opening such a school in Malawi which is the second in Africa, the first being in Togo.

He explained clearly why he had to come and went on to narrate the history of the Themes Valley University Examination Board. John is a musicians and a Song writer too. He believes Music does a lot to spread different messages across the globe. Music is fun. It should not be taken for granted.

Also the current Executive Director , the former Executive Director and Guest Musician had their turn to speech to the people witnessing the open Day.

Charles told the Gathering that the music school will start in 2009 with primary school pupils of standard 6 up to standard 8 where including their normal school syllabus, music (Grade 1 to Grade 4) will be introduced.

As of 2008 Charles says there will be a pilot class of Music. The Music school will train young people from the primary school to secondary school and it will be a good Ideas if there could be a secondary school within the Andiamo premises so that work would become easier putting into consideration the hash weather of Balaka in summer and the rainy season. He urged well wishers to come forward and assist in the building of the secondary school.

Alleluya Band, Alleluya Band II and Hon Billy Kaunda spiced the day with African music and dances.


Techpole