Music News
11th November 2023
Dhara Shah, Year 9N, represented Braeburn school at St. Andrew's, Turi, Senior School Orchestral Weekend held on 3rd to 5th Nov 2023. She is no stranger to the event, having attended whilst in Year 8, but as she puts it,”It was exciting being in a large orchestra with much older students.” This spurred her on to play with the rest of the students, even playing a piano solo during the concert on Saturday night.
Dhara also plays with the renowned Safaricom Youth Orchestra, which produces members who play for the Nairobi Orchestra. She is also a Grade 6 violinist and pianist, which is no mean feat!
The Orchestral Weekend typically consists of intensive rehearsals just before the evening concert. They camp within the school grounds and this brings the various schools together and creates a positive relationship that is necessary to have in an orchestra. Prior to this, music is sent out and the students are encouraged to do individual practice. This encourages self discipline and helps the students to be organised with regard to their personal time.
This is what Dhara had to say about the experience last weekend:
"I had the most amazing weekend. No words can define how I feel. The wet weather and the huge distances did not deter me from my goal.
I made new friends from BGE and other schools. It was a memorable experience to play in such a huge orchestra with so many talented students who were much older than me, as well as teachers with different talents.
BGE was kind enough to let me be part of their ensemble performance, and I was happy to pitch in at the last minute. Not only did I play with BGE, but I was selected to perform a piano solo just an hour before the main concert. It was nerve wrecking initially, but once I got on the piano, I felt at ease and the audience's cheers boosted my confidence.
On the whole this weekend has brought in a lot of memories which I will cherish forever."
Thank you to the team at BGE for providing Dhara with this opportunity and to St Andrew’s Turi for being wonderful hosts to this prestigious event.
Ms. Grace Nangabo,
Head of Music.
