Hear Us Children off to Spain

The Hear Us Children, a group from Music Crossroads Malawi (MCM), left the country on Sunday for Spain on a cultural trip.

The group, comprising 10 children from various primary schools in Lilongwe, is expected to hold 15 performances and educational presentations in music schools and primary schools across the Catalan Town of St. Cugat, Barcelona in Spain.

The town’s hall-through Petits Music Del Mon, a partner organisation of Music Crossroads Malawi-has facilitated the trip, according to MCM director Mathews Mfune.

Said Mfune: “This is the sixth year we are doing this trip with a one-year break where we sent the Music Crossroads Model Choir in 2014. The trips are made to St. Cugat as it has been supporting our collaboration with Petits Musics Del Mon to manage air tickets, insurance and other local costs.

“It would also be interesting to note that since the years, we have formed great relationships with St. Cugat such that all children are hosted by different families for the entire period to cement real cultural experience of life in Spain.”

The group is also expected to hold at least one public performance to showcase Malawi’s traditional dances and folk music.

“So far, over 60 children have gone through this exchange. The educational visit involves attending classes at the schools in Spain who are our partners but also having music and dance lessons as well as music and dance schools.

“The programme also gives room for picnics and visits to historic places such as the Olympic Stadium, and Barcelona Football Club. Last year, the group was allowed to take photos with Neymar and Messi at Barcelona FC,” Mfune explained.

He said the children are aged between 15 and 17 and that they have been duly cleared by their parents, schools and Ministry of Education.

The group will return on April 4 2017.

The Hear Us Children’s musical group learns singing, music reading and writing, traditional drumming and traditional and contemporary dancing.