A group of about a dozen kids are ready to show off the rhythm and energy they’ve learned at the Errington World Music Youth Camp in a series of performances out in the community.
With the eighth season of the camp now over, some of the participants have banded together to form a group under the artistic direction of instructor Fahlon Smith.
She said instructors and organizers of the camp have been talking about getting a group started for several years, which could share the sounds of Zimbabwean marimbas (like wooden xylophones) and samba persussion which includes djembe drums (skin-covered drums played with the hands).
Now that many of the camp’s participants have been taking part for several years, they’ve built up a repertoire, and have even begun creating some of their own songs.
Some of these will be included in the groups upcoming performances: At the Craig Street Market Aug. 15 from 6 p.m. to 6:20 p.m.; the Coombs Market Aug. 16 at 1:30 p.m.; the outdoor stage at the Errington Farmers Market Aug. 19, startingat 10 a.m.; and at the KidFest stage Aug. 20 in Parksville at 9:55 a.m.
Lina Janeski (age nine) and Shilo Hawley (age 11) said they are both excited for their upcoming performances.
“It’s pretty exciting to go and perform in front of other people and try out new songs,” said Hawley, adding he’s never really performed in front of people before.
Janeski, on the other hand, said she’s got plenty of experience performing, and isn’t scared at all.
She explained the process of how the group came up with one of its original songs:
“The djembe drum (players) made up a rhythm and us on the marimbas, we started playing, and then something just came to me and all the sopranos started playing that.”
Smith said the upcoming performances provide an opportunity for the young musicians to take another step into their music, and that hopefully the band will continue writing songs and performing in the community.