NEWSFLASH: SCS Kenyan Music Programs Are Growing
This July, S'Cool Sounds (SCS) Founder and Artistic Director Nina Stern will return to Nairobi to continue to expand the flourishing SCS music program in Kibera schools. Nina, SCS Teaching Artist Ruaridh Pattison, and board member and musician Nancy Snider will be building this dynamic program by:
leading professional development workshops for teachers;
preparing students for public performances and the Kenyan National Music Festival;
providing new instruments and uniforms for performances; and
expanding outreach in the community.
Why bring the US and Kenyan teaching teams together in-person now?
There has been incredible growth in the SCS Kibera school programs, continued accolades for young musicians there, and new opportunities for SCS alumni to continue their musical education through the “Futures” music program. While there is regular virtual communication between New York and Nairobi, there is nothing like being there in person. There are several factors that make this an ideal time for this initiative.
One important goal will be to establish more connections in Nairobi’s musical and higher education communities. Just as the Futures program expands opportunities for our alumni during their high school years, further opportunities exist for these passionate musicians as they continue their educations and seek professional opportunities. Nancy Snider, with her background as a Visiting Lecturer at International University-Africa (Nairobi), and SCS’s new Kenya Advisory Board will be working towards this goal.
Ruaridh Pattison is looking forward to working with Kenyan music teachers to use computer software to create sheet music and backing tracks, and to support their use of Digital Audio Workstations. Along with Nancy, he will also be teaching music theory and literacy. Nina will focus on sharing best practices in recorder pedagogy with teachers and festival preparation with students.
Jacob Saya, Director of Music for S'Cool Sounds in Kenya, is looking forward to this July's visit with great anticipation. Jacob recently shared: “The more we approach summer, the more our hearts warm up to the overwhelming reality that distance won't be separating us anymore. It's been half a decade since we last enjoyed the vibrancy in music making and moments together in Nairobi.”
Help build musical futures for Kenyan students!
SCS is kicking off a fundraising initiative to drive this program expansion forward. Help us meet our $5,000 goal today!
In August 2023, students from our programs in Nairobi traveled to the 95th Kenya National Music Festival. Check out this clip of the MOBJAP School's first-prize performance, conducted by Erickson Maboko.
Fun Fact: Erickson is an alumnus of the SCS program at the FAFU School, and he was a member of the first SCS Kenya ensemble to win first prize at nationals in 2016!
