Joshua Stone’s Quote at the end of his Program.

“Living Music Foundation is a phenomenal opportunity. It is a wonderful program. I only wish more people knew about it. I have been warmly accepted by every individual I met.”

On the 13^th of June towards mid night, Disan Kato met Joshua Stone for the first time after a series of email exchanges preparing for the one-month volunteer program at Living Music Foundation in Mbarara. In the morning of 14^th, Joshua and Disan Kato drove to Mbarara. The 5-hour drive journey turned to an 8-hour drive because of many stops to see some beautiful scenes and places along the way plus a lunch meal break.

At the LMF office, Joshua was oriented into the LMF program. he met students at the center who were learning Piano/Keyboard at that time. He was also interested in training and working with the Vessels band. He did train with the band caught up with the band style quickly. His first weekend he travelled with the band South Western Uganda to perform with the band at marriage function. He had his own experience of functions and community gatherings to such marriage functions.

1. The Community Training

Mr. Stone trained keyboard players in several places outside Mbarara. He trained the Kabwohe keyboard players group for four days. Here, the students (mixed up of all ages) welcomed his training and quickly embraced it.

The Kabwohe community training.

Pearl Music Academy is another place that Stone visited for two days. At first the class was small including a blind young boy taking lessons. He quickly captured Joshua’s lessons and played along with him in the exercises during the lessons.

A totally different group came in after Lunch. This group was made up of university students and working class who had basic piano/Keyboard skills.  Because of that, they were treated to a jazz and blues lessons which they enjoyed so much and were excited about new skills from Joshua. They only wished there was much time to learn more.

One day Keyboard Players Workshop at Bweranyangi

On another day, Stone was driven to the Cathedral of West Ankole Diocese at Bweranyangi where he met with the keyboard players for a one-day piano players workshop organized by the bishop through the diocesan Music coordinator. This class had learnt to play hymns following the solfa notation which he adapted to and later added a few things he found missing in their learning. He was appreciated by the bishop who had a chat with him before he embarked on his pastoral program.

A visit to Kashaka Girls

Mr. Stone visited Kashaka girls Secondary school. The girls sang and performed some classical music with their teachers.  He was amazed by their heart towards music and the energy they showed towards music. He was later led into traditional music performances by the girls outside in the compound which exposed him to some local music, dance and some drama with the help of a drum. He also took his time to share career opportunities and future prospects for musicians and singers. This they appreciated and were motivated to carry on with music dreams.

Film Makers

He met with the film makers of Western region at their local office in Mbarara where they had gathered to show him their films and what advice he can give them. The afternoon was well spent and the film makers had questions which he gladly answered to their satisfaction. They ended up asking him to be part of them as their advisor.Mr. Stone later joined a local sauna and steam bath which he seemed to enjoy before going back home to rest.

Perfoming with The Vessels Band

Joshua enjoyed his time while he was playing and performing with The Vessels Band as a keyboard player. He played at weddings, a bride give-away, a funeral mass, and golden jubilee celebrations.  Everywhere he went, it was a surprise to the people to see him play Disan Kato’s music as well as performing the local hymns in the local language. It was nice for he added an international color to the band. Disan Kato and the band were amazed at how quickly he adapted to the band style.

Mr. Stone got time to meet and experience children more at the Js Tiny Tots day care and Kindergarten. He played with the children and taught them some children Rhymes. Seeing young people sing and play music in a whole different world and styles giving it all they can, moved his heart. He experience sessions with local youth choirs like at Kyamate in Ntungamo, Kashaka choirs.

Excursions

On some Sunday, Joshua was invited to travel and attend a ceremony and celebration in the  village of Mutara in Western Uganda where He was the first ever mzungu (white person) to be invited to the village church and to the village home.  He got to see another side of life of some African communities. He interacted with the community and got to play with the children who gathered around him.

He also found time to spend a day with Disan and his family enjoying a game drive and boat cruise at Queen Elizabeth National Park. And he spent a day exploring the regions of Kabale and Lake Bunyonyi. 

The breadth of Disan’s contact circle was staggering to him.  He was overwhelmed by Disan’s music, how he is known wherever he goes.  How he has maintained relationships with people in a truly impressive fashion.  He was overjoyed by the positive and warm reception he received every single day.