Writing from the United States Embassy! (some details I will fill in later when I get correct spellings of place names--sorry...)
Yesterday we spent the day singing for and providing a clinic for the student singers at the capital's American School(Unfortuantely, MJ fell quite ill at the school, so he was whisked off by the school nurse and taken to a French clinic, where they patched him up), and then we spent the evening singing in sequence with 6 Cameroonian choirs at a large Yaounde Presbyterian church. Experienced firsthand the magnificent, energetic, and heartfelt music of the people there. Exciting to sense the connection that gospel music and spirituals have with the music on the street here in Africa today. Lots of posing for pictures, hand-shaking, and encouragement from all groups to one another! Also...I may be mistaken, but it looked like some of the young Cameroonian women wanted us to take them home to America with us! When we got home to the Mont Febe hotel, MJ was waiting for us looking surprisingly chipper, and back to good health. Whew!
Now everyone is trying to figure out what to ditch here, so that their purchased gifts will fit in suitcases--I too have fallen prey to this course of action. It also matters not where I go on tour, I still don't bring enough to read--should have brought another book--perhaps we can do a busload booktrade or something.
Very happy to catch up on so much soccer over here--two of my favorite UK teams, Liverpool and Chelsea played on the tube last night!! (sorry if rooting for both is incongruous with current football politicos in Britain...)
Been a trip of amazing ups and downs--people (including myself) getting very ill, and also elation and wonder at the beautiful people, hearts, and music in this beautiful country. Update hopefull coming agin soon--love to all our families from the whole of Cantus, and the Westminster troupe!!!!
Ciao! --G
About Cantus
- Cantus
- Gaining recognition as one of America's finest professional male vocal ensembles, Cantus enjoys a vigorous schedule of national tours, subscription concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, innovative residencies and outreach programs, and recording. The Washington Post called the singers' sound "beaming and elastic" and referred to their music-making as "spontaneous grace." Reahearsing and performing without conductor, Cantus' repertoire spans many periods and genres, including chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary works, art songs, folk music, spirituals, world music, and pop.