by James Collins
Welcome to my Fulbright/mtvU blog. This is where I will be posting my videos, photos, recordings, and reports from my Fulbright/mtvU experience in South Africa. My project deals with the importance of music in childhood education, as seen through the efforts of the Field Band Foundation, a successful South African non-profit organization which brings opportunities to traditionally marginalized South African youth through music and dance education. I will be assisting the foundation directly by giving music lessons and overseeing several “field bands,” the marching ensembles that form the basis of the foundation’s programs. Throughout this experience, I intend to create a variety of multimedia segments for my blog detailing various aspects of the foundation and, more generally, the expression of music in South Africa. With this blog, I also hope to create a better understanding of the complexities of South African society and of the importance of music in everyday life. Though that might sound somewhat academic, I intend this to be a very real experience. I hope to step back a bit and let the children tell their story. My narrative (in writing) will deal with my reactions and impressions to what I see around me and what you will see in this blog. I hope to hear from you throughout this experience and I encourage any feedback or suggestions you may have.
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After months of planning and preparing, the time has finally come; I leave for South Africa in just one day. Though I’d like to say that I am fully prepared, unfortunately it’s not even close. I’ve been running around this past week trying to get every last thing I need (which I’ll probably eventually realize I don’t actually need) and dealing with the fact that my to do list has become more of a “to do someday” list. There is some comfort in knowing that I have a plane ticket and plenty of grant money to support me, but it’s a little frightening that I still need to pack, finish making my website, close a bank account, cancel my cell phone plan, figure out where I’m going to live in South Africa (!), and get a hair cut. Sleep = unlikely. But, in a day it won’t matter, because I will be dreamily on my way.
I have many hopes for what lies ahead. Though I’ve never been to South Africa, it is a place that has fascinated and haunted me for some time. I found out about the Field Band Foundation (FBF) several years ago when I was researching touring opportunities for the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. I was looking into musical outreach activities that my orchestra could participate in and the FBF came quickly into view. Knowing how important music was to me throughout my childhood, I felt a very strong sense of respect for what the foundation was doing. Though my orchestra tour never materialized, I began thinking of ways I could assist the foundation as an individual. I realized I could help as an instructor, given my extensive musical background. I also saw that my skills as a filmmaker and photographer could help for raising awareness for the FBF and encouraging support for their programs. Of course, this also seemed like it would be an extraordinary personal experience, so I began applying for grants and started to plan my trip.
Though I have some fears about this journey, my expectations are very high. Some of the greatest moments in my life have been when I was helping others; to have the opportunity to help on a daily basis while devoting myself to my passion for music and filmmaking is something truly unique. Yes, I will be very far from home, family, and friends and yes, I will be living in a dangerous place with some degree of personal threat. But, I will surely meet many incredible people along the way and as long as I can actually make a difference and help children who might otherwise be neglected, there is no doubt that this will be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you.
Click here to email James with your questions or comments
The views and information presented are the Fulbright grantee’s own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.
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