St. George’s College (Week #47) – Day #213

Date for Entry: (Tuesday 07 November 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Monday 13 November 2023)

[T1, W:10 – D:2, (Td:2)*].

**Video

Dear Diary,

    One Georgian girl came with me in the maxi today. I got to the office and met four bags of 25 Kurma on my desk. Mrs Sawh came and removed them for me. Plenty of teachers were wearing green. I was about to wear my green shirt too. The principal asked me to open the door for her but she stood up talking and I left. I went to class and did the major scales lesson with 2M. The full note was received and the same homework was done.

    I moved on to 1L and did a review of all the homework that they were assigned for the term and in preparation for their exam. No homework was given. I did not use the remainder of the note conversion worksheets again. I decided to continue from the review since that was enough and get to lesson six. Another test was required for coursework. Ameer submitted along with another boy. I showed the class that they would have to sign a similar attendance form when they are submitting it next week.

    I ended up finishing my recess late by waiting for stationary with Mrs Blandin-Maharaj. We entered the library for the staff meeting at 11:09 AM. It had already started:

• Exams start the Monday (20th) after Achievement Day week (for Lower School).
• HODs to set the timetable for teacher supervision in their departments.
• Papers to print must be sent early (24 hours before).
• Permit for fundraisers to be authorised by the School’s Supervisor.
• Halloween Movie Night was a success.
• Exam papers are to be set (by Monday 13th) to print.
• Supervision by Dr Blandin (3 Teachers): 23 – Code of Conduct, MOE.
• Supervision to be sorted out by HODs when teachers are absent??
• Dr J: (E40, 2011)??

• FINAL WEEK: Tuesday – Staff meeting; the last for the term.
• FINAL WEEK: Thursday – Deadline for submission of Grades.
• FINAL WEEK: Thursday – Class parties.
• FINAL WEEK: Friday – (After Class Party) Teachers’ Lime.

 

    The meeting ended in a very unsettled manner and abruptly on some occasions and also disagreement. When I heard the deadline for the uploading of grades to George’s system and class part was the same day, I found it strange. I wished they would have mentioned the actual date instead of saying the day and last week. Mis Laurance got a copy of the “Gymnopedie No. 1” for her Clinical Supervision tomorrow (French class) before I left the library.

    I went back to the office and asked Mis Mohammed if I could have used the ‘dungeon’ to change my clothing. We had a good laugh. I had the must-stand already mounted up and had it set on the stage. My second entrance to the staffroom is where I met “Neesha” and Mrs Jaikaran. They were giving out invitations to the programme and we went over to the hall. They ended up leaving me. The school had to go through an early roll call and had the students assemble in the hall for 1 PM.

    I waited and waited for my turn to perform. I ended up falling asleep like one upper school boy who slept through the entire function. Some of my 2F students were in the back in front of me. “Jereem” tried to find out the name of the song since Tuesday. I told him that it was a surprise. Only after my performance, did I give him a copy of the music that I used.

    There were many dances done for the day. A very lovely one done by Mrs Jaikaran. Before it was my time, “Neesha” came to ask if I could have cut the performance in half “like two verses and two choruses” because the time for school was drawing nearer and their function had to finish too. When I was called to perform, the models had already blocked the two sides to get to the stage. I decided that my entrance would be from the central aisle. Sadly, there was no music for me to walk to but my cheering Form 1 students did perfectly.

    Once I was on the stage, I got the bookstand in front of the pan, clipped on the score and began immediately. I was very nervous. The introduction was messed up lightly but it was the correct rhythm even though the order of pitches was wrong. I continued to the end of the chorus on the first page and called it the end. It felt very abrupt as the staff meeting ended too, which made me feel like I did a crash landing. Somehow during the performance, the students started to clap to the beat. They ended up stopping too.

    As I took my seat back at the end of the hall, the bus shuttle came. Immediately all of the shuttle children got up and left the hall just like that. I got up and left Miss Bacca to go up in the front. They had a dance. A girl was dancing and I felt overshadowed as if I had failed but her music too had cut and then she ended up not doing the rest. I was looking forward to hers all evening. She even took the time to tie in the Ghungaroo. ‘Doctor’ was still in front watching the final dance before the modelling.

    Later that evening I got Kurma from “Choo-Choo” in a big box. I got another one. This one had a coconut flavour. But the other from Mrs Jaikaran had the ginger that gave it the real Kurma taste. I wished I had another pack. I went back to change the ‘dungeon’ back into my shirt and pants. 

    Late as I was leaving the office ‘Doctor’ told me that she appreciated and enjoyed the performance while walking her out. Mr Ustach was asked if school was being cancelled tomorrow but she said no. He wanted to know where we would be having lunch tomorrow if it flooded. I suggested that we go by the river. She laughed.

 

UPDATE

Saturday 11 November 2023.

    ‘Doctor’ had sent me a recording of the performance that she took during the Diwali Programme. On this day the Final exams for Form 1 and 2 were also verified by Miss Paul for approval and were both approved and sent to Miss Gittens for HOD approval/review.

    The school was emailed copies of the same exams along with the instructions for invigilators to do the exam and then another exam for the Forms 1s was set for this week. I did not teach anything much for the day from 8 AM to 4 PM. To cheer myself up I went and crafted the Form 2 Major scales and typed it up for when the time was right.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

(7:53 am – 4:48 pm)

St. George’s College (Week #40) – Day #183

Date for Entry: (Friday 22 September 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (September 2023)

[T1, W:03 – D15, (Td:3)*].

Dear Diary,

    Came to Valsayn choked up in the maxi and got wet in the rain as soon as I crossed the road. I had to make a run for it. By the time I got to the office door, I was sixty-seven per cent soaked down. I thought I would have been late for the assembly. The Principal asked me earlier this week to perform the St. George’s College song. It would have been the first time publicaly playing it.

    When I got into the office, I saw the Cadets. Their officer were preparing them as well. It was nice to see that two Form 2 students of mine were part of their troop. Arela had the National flag hanging from her right shoulder and Miss Rampersad had the St. George’s flag hanging from her left shoulder. I got paper towel sheets to dry my hair and hands quickly. I saw Mr. Ustash with “GG” and it seemed as if they were having a late start.

    I got my music bookstand out and set it up along with a George’s Song Booklet that I made and waited in the corridor. Mrs Jaikaran was now pulling into the compound. I went to the hall with ‘GG’ and met Mrs Sawh. Before the national anthem was to be played, I went up onto the stage and placed the bookstand in front of a tenor pan I felt comfortable playing. Seth and ‘Vanna’ came up to play the national anthem first. The rest of the programme was long and boring after playing the College song. There was a nice dance presentation and a group picture with the teachers and the Principal.

    I returned to the office to have breakfast. Did not have to teach for the rest of the day with certain things occurring the in office to me. I got to update my teaching log and took note of the classes that were missed. I did some paper stapling for Miss Mustapha during recess. Before the MMT meeting today, during the fourth and fifth periods, I gave the copies to Miss Gittens to give to Miss Mustapha.

    I did not like the sore throat that remained since Wednesday. In the evening, there were some loud arguments in the Principal office. It drove me out of the office. And I went to the staffroom to free myself of that dissonance. Classes were soon interrupted by the distribution of cake. We learned that it would be the Principal’s 54^th birthday during the weekend. I got Genesis #17 reading and sonnet completed while the office was piled up with people and students for the cake. They used my tray for books to carry the cake.

    I stayed with Susan for some time. There was the absence of  Miss Gittens. We were looking for her. Once Miss came back from the staffroom, I wanted to check in the art room. She wasn’t there. All of us stayed for the Zomba class in the hall and then took a ride out with “Maria”. I got two more slices of extra cake they offered me in the office. I decided the two slices that I got were one for Miss Gittens and one for Miss Paul that I ate in the staffroom.

    In Tunapuna, while waiting in the car with Andrew, Miss Patel called me and asked me about pan lessons for ‘Savvy’ and her brother. We should discuss this on Wednesday next week. Looking forward to the Music CXC conference at DCFA next week.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

(7:49 am – 3:43 pm)

St. George’s College (Week #34) – Day #154

 Date for Entry: (Friday 16 June 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Friday 30 June 2023)

[T3, W:09 – D:42*, (Td:01)*].

Dear Diary,

    I sat in the front seat of the maxi and we drove off immediately. There were two Georgians in the back that walked in with me. The driver was “Christian”. I met Mr Marlon in the office and then an issue with exam student accommodation early in the morning occurred. I got Crystal to help me print out copies of music for today’s Father’s Day lunchtime function.

    I did not have breakfast until after class. I went to the music room and waited. The students took longer to get to the music room because it had religious education for the first period that morning. I did not even have the entire second period too because ‘Tia’ came and interrupted the session for five long minutes to talk. I had less than thirty minutes to complete the homework. Seth was the first to come in that morning and he got to hear me practising part of the “Thank You For Being My Dad.”

    As soon as the students left and the others were coming, I met up with Saskia and she asked IF Miss Roberts was there. She said it would have been nicer if Miss Roberts gave me the topic to teach them instead. When I asked why, it was a nice compliment.

    I returned to the office and helped Donna with stapling some of her Spanish exam papers. We went to the staffroom to do that. I took the time to sightread my music. I didn’t even get the time to practice the music well for the next few hours to come. I got help from Mrs Sawh to get help from a prefect to supervise the exam.

    Some minutes just before lunch in the fifth period I got ‘Reuben’ to help me carry the pan stand and a book stand. We carried it into the library and got it set up. Miss Jones and I met a second time after meeting during recess time about setting up the laptop to her speakers. I had a test run of the song from the Musescore file and it was fine. At 12:30 I met the prefect (Sajid) outside f the music room and told him that in case one shows up by 12:40 that he can leave for the rest of his lunch.

    I returned to the library while everyone was waiting. My performance went last and Miss Jones had described it as the grand final performance. It was very nice of her to share the progress of working on the steelpan arrangement. There were several mistakes made throughout the piece but I continued as if it was a UWI jury. It made me realise too how long I did not play music.

    I returned the book stand and everything myself after the function. I was free and did not see Miss Panchu in the Block K staffroom when trying to visit her. I waited a long while after school fixing up last-minute attendance that I did not do. Luckily, Mrs Santana did not leave school and she took me to Curepe. AB and the big ‘Buss’. We spoke again about some more of the songs for the farewell function for Mrs Rogers-Small.

Link(s):

• “Thank You For Being My Dad” – Perf. Recording.**

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

(7:39 am – 3:22 pm)

St. George’s College (Week #29) – Day #132

Date for Entry: (Friday 12 April 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 13 May 2023)

[T3, W:04 – D:20, (Td:02)*].

Dear Diary,

    I saw Sadie in the maxi this morning. ‘Musician’ was the driver and the sky was very cloudy. I hoped it did not break down on me while walking in. I had breakfast in the kitchen with Miss Didier and she told me that she ran away to have breakfast before everyone piled her up with work to do. I had 1L and because I was running late, the Religious Education period this morning bought me some time. They were noisy to finish in the music room. No sign of Miss Roberts again all morning.

    Coming back to the office, I saw Miss Lawson and I gave a slip of scrap paper for her to write out the classes she taught. She wanted to use the mark book that made. We spoke a little and were then joined by Miss Trail at the drive-in. Miss Gittens came out of the office and told me that she was in a meeting and that the meeting for VAPA was about to start.

    We both walked up to Miss Jones’ Theatre Arts classroom. It was very hot and she told me that the air-conditioning was not working. We spoke for some short minutes while waiting for Miss Gittens. As soon as our opening prayer finished, we had to move to a concrete bench in the corridor because three gentlemen came to do a diagnostic on the air-conditioning in Miss Jones’ room. I went to get my table from the office for us to use.

    The meeting went on through recess and all of the fifth period. Mr Bain came into the compound at the end and while we were talking to Miss Mary, Miss Gittens asked about anything for the Mother’s Day celebration. We both didn’t know anything about it. She asked him to ‘rope’ me in to help them. I got my stuff back into the office and met back sir with Mr Pierre, they learned that I’m a steelpan musician. Mr Bain told me that there was a song that he had planned. I had to go back and get my books and pan sticks from the office.

    We went to the music room and I realised the song would take a longer time for me to do. It was called “Tennessee Whiskey.” We tried the djembe and I helped him figure out the rhythm used from the song. It was short and easy to learn and when he tried singing the song while I played the rhythm, we both liked it a lot. I gave him my notebook to write out the lyrics and he worked on the rest.

    We walked down to the library and many of the female teachers were gathering around. They were already being served food. I helped other male teachers serve. Mr Martin and I handled the ice cream and I lent them my tray for the serving. Abigail was the first performer. Mr Bain’s performance was the last part of the little function. Everyone seemed happier to see the two of us performing. I had a good lot of conversations with Mr Martin and Mr Raymond.

    Mr Martin and I stayed back after everyone left to clean up the library and the food table that we prepared everything during the little celebration. I knew that I was very late for my class with 1F. I went to wash out my tray and the empty ice cream bucket. I got dishwashing soap to clean them out properly. I got my things from the office and had the children start to fill out the attendance, while I went to get my bags from the music room. Miss Roberts asked if I taught the Form 3 lesson. She looked to get vexed when I said no.

    I hurried back to 1F and delivered the lesson. It was 1:19 that I began teaching. We did not get to do the listening exercise that I did with 1L earlier this week. I feel that I have to make a recording of the exercise and let them try it from Google Classroom.

Link(s):

• “Tennessee Whiskey” – YouTube Recording.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

(7:58 am – 3:57 pm)

Funeral Service for Rev. Anthony Rampersad

Date for Entry: (Friday 13th January 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 14th January 2023)

Dear Diary,

    Today was the service for Reverend Anthony Rampersad who past away on Tuesday evening. I was ready by eight and as soon as I was about to put on my shoes Mr. Sharma called me and said he was heading up my road to get me. Everyone playing in the band had assembled in our church compound at Aramalaya to go down.

    It seemed as if many of us including myself were going down to Susamachar Presbyterian Church for the first time. I sat in the front seat with sir and everyone else drove in the back through the back road from Pasea to the highway and down into San Fernando. The ride was a long one but it was nice to see San Fernando. It was a long while since I went there for the South Family Boxing Day lime. Many things I learned on that trip.

    Pulling up into the yard, I was glad that nervous and did not pull in me so much. I knew it was a different church we were going to. As we walked into the sanctuary, I was amazed at the architecture and craftwork. Throughout the service, the environment felt very special. I knew I was finally in a church for once. I had a lot of difficulties trying to stay awake. Even on the ride coming down, I had more fighting to do.

    The band was gathered to have a short practice of the two pieces on the Susamachar steelpan instruments before the practice. It was only our band from Aramalaya playing for the service. I learned that the instruments have been there since 1994 in the church and were crafted by Mr. Bertrand Kellman. I took a look to see what the seven bass pan looked like but only by glance because we had to leave quickly.

    We were told that some of them were slightly different and that we would need time to adjust. I had to switch the bore tenor pan on the end with a regular one but the sound was better, although the strings for the stand caused the barrel to be twisted to the left too much.

    The two songs played for the service were “The Prayer” arranged by Zara and “Oceans” that I had arranged. A second run of both songs was done when a Mr. Bally came. The ending was nailed well in the practice for “Oceans”. Sadly, “The Prayer” was not recorded in the YouTube video at the start and there was an interruption in the “Oceans” causing the complex ending to collapse on itself.

    Form 6 students from Hillview in their formal wear led the processional with Hillview’s flag, while the National Presbyterian Choir sang “Be Still My Soul” from a highly inclined seating arrangement. The choice of tempo was very nice and the execution by the vocalists. I loved the echo in the church.

    At the end of the service, I had covered back the tenor pans. It reminded me of my Form 5 days in Hillview when the school found the coverings they had for their steelpans. I took some time looking at the manuscript paper with music on it and sang solfege in fixed doh (in F major). I left my phone in the car and could not take a picture of it.

    Just before leaving San Fernando (at 3:02 pm), we stopped by a barbeque place and the sun was barbequing us too. I got home and finally sat on the couch some minutes after four. The phone was buzzing with some of the events for the day. I took the recordings made by parents and others to make a separate video.

Link(s):

• Images from the Day.
• Service Programme.
• Funeral Service.

• Cremation Ceremony.

• Private Performance Recording. **

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Presbyterian Church of Trinidad & Tobago – 155th Anniversary

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 8th January 2023)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Sunday 15th January 2023)

Dear Diary,

    This morning the senior band in the church had rehearsal for the 155^th anniversary of the Trinidad and Tobago Presbyterian Church. The front of the church’s building was lightly crowded for persons to arrive and enter the sanctuary. I got a program, bookmark and a lovely calendar they had made for 2023.

    The service had a large choir, and it was a national one, maybe with choir members from different regions I suppose. They sang several wonderful pieces throughout the service I might never find the notation for.

    The steelband had to play first but sadly, the guys doing the recording did not get the “Away in A Manger” before the processional (5:37 in recording). Only the last verse was produced. The second piece was “The Prayer” and it was good (1:57:00 in recording). We were given a screen labelling to the bottom left of the visual.

    The remainder of the service took some more time to complete. I remembered how much I used to like night services a long time when mommy used to take me in my days of TML.

Link(s):

• Service Programme.
• Image of Calendar & Programme.
• Service Recording.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Aramalaya’s Christmas Play (2022)

Date for Entry: (Sunday 11th December 2022)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 24th December 2022)

Dear Diary,

    This morning I had an early start to get to church. We had to be there for 7:15 and the rest of the steelband members were there practising. I felt a bit ashamed because they were practising and making mistakes in front of everyone.

    I had no idea that the service would have started faster than I thought. The time went by really quickly. Mr. Sharma was not there for the entire service so I had to count in the band on both occasions for the procession and for “Away in a Manger” during the play. The “Away in A Manger” was one of my arrangements. The procession was a medley of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Oh Come Emmanuel” that Mr. Sharma did.

    I was grateful that the service went out very well. It concluded in a short space of time. My favourite part of the play was the short video they played describing Adam and Eve in the garden. We had another practice right after the service when I met Miss Linda. There was an evening function early next year that the church wanted us to play for. The song of choice for that particular function is “The Prayer” which was arranged by Zara.

Link(s):

• Images from the Service’s Play.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Father's Day Service (2022)

Date for Entry: (Sunday 19th June 2022)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Friday 8th July 2022)

Dear Diary,

    The Sunday School had to play steelpan after the sermon. The song for this service was "He's Got The Whole World" and it was arranged by Mr. Sharma. Unfortunately, he could not make it to the service. I had to count them in. Aria was on the bass and Elder Mr. Bharat on the drums. 

    One very funny thing about the rehearsal before the service, er did the song twice and then everyone they started the service immediately. I was not sure if that time had gone by really fast or if they thought that we were to play and then the service would start. 

    The sermon was done by Pastor Dr. Clive Dottin. Too much hurt came to me that day in church. The performance was not video recorded by anyone so there aren't any attachments to this entry. 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Service of Unity

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 29th May 2022)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 24th December 2022)

**Bookmark pic

Dear Diary,

    Today a wonderful service took place in the afternoon. I learned that Tobago started a Presbyterian group and their region had joined it with us in the North. Many nice pieces of music were sung during the service and two of them were taken to be arranged for steelpan by myself.

    The steelband had to perform for the processional. Our piece of practice for the event was “Blessed By Your Name” arranged by myself and this was our first time playing as a band for the year in church after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Link(s):

• Service Programme.
• July 2022 Magazine Report (Picture).
• YouTube Recording of Service. (7:53)

Daryl Zion M. Ali

TIPICA First Monthly Playout

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 24th April 2022)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 21st January 2023)

Dear Diary,

    I had to perform in TIPICA panyard right up the road from home in Tunapuna. I was invited by Denzil to play. I decided to take try the stage side band they hand. We took about six to seven weeks in practice before tonight’s performance which was done last. We were joined by Arima Angel Harps Steel Orchestra and Fascinators Steel Symphony.

    Many persons I met from DCFA were present there. A lot of people filled the yard and the pavement area. We also saw Mr Forde present for the evening and he play some pan too. My private recording of TIPICA’s songs did not come out so well, unfortunately.

    Some of the songs were “Jolene” by Kes, steelband composition “Liberation” by Andrea White, “Mash Up” by Blaxx, and two others. I could not stay much longer after the show but it was a wonderful evening spent with everyone.

 

Link(s):

• Images from the Event.
• Private Recording – (Audio).

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Christmas Service (2019)

Date for Entry: (Wednesday 25 December 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 23rd March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    The song of choice for the Sunday School Steelband was “Do you Hear What I Hear” as a collaboration arrangement by Mr. Sharma and myself. I did the first attempt and he took it to fix something in it. We had the performance done somewhere after the sermon.

 

Link(s):

1. Christmas Service (2019) – Aramalaya Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Renewal Service & Dedication of the Church Hall

Date for Entry: (Sunday 20th October 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 23rd March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    This event took place around five in the evening. It took a long while to start and the Sunday School was asked to come for three to have a short run-through of the piece. The rest of the service went well. I did enjoy some of the songs that the choir did. I can’t recall if the choir was a joint one.

 

Link(s):

1. Service Programme.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Easter Sunday (2019)

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 21 April 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 16th March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    The Sunday School band was asked to play in this service again. I felt proud and happy to be able to go and play music for the church again. I really did love the colourful cover for the program today.

 

Link(s):

1. Easter Sunday 2019 – Aramalaya Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Good Friday (2019)

 Date for Entry: (Friday 19 April 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 16th March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    Today was Easter Sunday. The tune of Choice for the Sunday School Steelband was “Broken for Me” that I did. It was easy or the background pans to play. The tenors had the most difficulty towards the ending. I did leave two measures in the piece as a gift for Zara. There was something that she usually did in church like a signature in her music that I found good to add in the score. The service was longer than usual. I cannot recall if we had practice on that day after the service.

 

Link(s):

1. Good Friday 2019 – Aramalaya Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Induction Service of Reverend Anthony Rampersad

Date for Entry: (Sunday 14 April 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    This afternoon the Sunday Schoolers had another function to attend. We were going to play for the Induction Service of Reverend Anthony Rampersad, to be our church’s minister. The tune of choice was “Yesu Ni Kaha” which was sung by the congregation at the previous function. It was the first time that we played it and it felt so amazing. I was proud of the introduction although it was a huge risk I was taking. It sounded like music from a movie but not as great as the Jurassic Park theme song.

 

Link(s):

1. Induction Service Program.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Service of Grateful Praise and Thanksgiving

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 6th January 2019)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Monday 14th March 2022)

Dear Diary,

    The Sunday school was asked to play for the service this evening. The band had practice in the morning for it that morning. There was a nice Indian Presbyterian bhajan that the church sang. It was not one I had heard before, called “Yesu Ni Kaha”. The first one I heard was “Yesu Masi” when I had played for David Sookha’s funeral service.

    I was thankful that I had carried my cell phone with me to record the bhajan again and then attempt it for steelpan. When I heard the second playing, where they had the church sing it again, I was able to mentally find a simple strumming pattern for it.

    It was an easy exercise. It felt like I was doing the same transcription work for the Indian Classical Ensemble from UWI to write out the melody from the recording and then transform it into an arrangement for a steelband. This was then taken to teach the Sunday school sometime afterward.

    In this service too, I got to experience Agape Feast in church for the first time. I can recall going to the Presbyterian Youth Rally in Hillview where they did that. Everyone would share a pinch of their bun with another. We were also given a small box of juice and people would cross their arms together and sip from their box of juice. I think because it was something we did not do in church that the people were very weirded out by the experience of it.

Link(s):

1. Service of Grateful Praise and Thanksgiving Program.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Christmas Service (2018)

 Date for Entry: (Tuesday 25th December 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Saturday 12th March 2022)

Dear Diary

    The Sunday School was asked to perform for the Christmas Service. It was a very long service and they usually like to start early on that kind of day. Our time of performance was during the offering section. We had a medley with “Hark the Herald” first and then the “Jingle Bell” after. The Jingle Bells came with a slight challenge from Mr. Sharma to mix Silent night in it. I find that the mix was good and I was proud of myself for doing the music.

    For the playing, I was put to conduct and lead the band. Mr. Sharma was at another church playing music that day. I met him after service and he said that he heard the whole performance from the parking area as soon as he parked up.

    The pieces were a bit long and when I saw the person collecting the offerings get back to the alter, I was nervous. Thank goodness the music was coming to an end. I had to indicate to Zara when to do the doxology because she was looking and all the church was waiting to continue. Very happy for the group on their performance. I hope that the rest of the day go well and is not spoiled as it could be.

Link(s):

1. “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”.**
2. “Jingle Bells & Silent Night.”**
3. Christmas Service 2018 – Aramalaya Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Aramalaya Torch Run Service

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 3rd June 2018)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 26th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    This evening the Sunday school had to play for a special function in the church. I can’t remember exactly what the special purpose of the service was for. We played the medley that we had comprising of  Hallu, Jesus Loves Me, Ode to Joy and others. It was a very special moment for me to actually see what the agape feast was like. That was one time besides communion we got to eat and drink in the church. There was also a small Bristol board cross that one of the moms gave us. I’m not sure what we were supposed to use it for.

Link(s):

1. Aramalaya Torch Run Service – Programme.**

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Aramalaya Christmas Concert Service (2017)

 Date for Entry: (Sunday 10th December 2017)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 19th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    This morning I woke up at half five to get ready for Church. I was supposed to be part-taking in the Concert today. Mr. Sharma and I would be doing a duet for the “Oh Holy Night” as the last part to conclude the play. I also had to dress up in a costume. It looked like a long grown in a light pink and it had a headpiece for it as well.

    I did not want to dress in any church clothes to go this morning. Instead of wearing a white shirt and long sleeve, I organized with dad and Nadara to bring my white shirt from Curepe as if I was dressing to go to school because to do all of this on a day before a hard exam and having that bad feeling of not wanting to study was a bad vibe. Together I was surprised that I was not nervous at all.

    It felt good and amazing to be dressed like that. It made me feel complete as I was dressed like a nun. I would have liked to say monk but the headpiece changed the entire look and having my cross chain around my neck made it look exactly so.

    Along with the performance I had work to do for the History Exam as well. I took my copybook to church with me yesterday during the practice and that was not helpful because it was just feeling like too much to do. I went home and researched Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation and did a lot of writing. I also researched the composers for Byrd and Tallis Saturday night.

    When I got home from Church and from Curepe at one in the afternoon, I sat down in front of the television and had my tablet. I felt like my mind and brain had refused to take anymore studying. I just gave up and did not bother to go through anything else because it’s been a long semester and I just needed it to be over with.

Link(s):

1. "O Holy Night" Medley.
2. Church Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Aural Training 1 - "Lacrimosa" Class Performance

 Date for Entry: (Wednesday 29th November 2017)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 19th January 2022)

Dear Diary,

    Today we had our final hearing examination which will go towards the end of Semester exams. The plan was to play “Lacrimosa” for Mrs. Neaves as a group for her since her mom died the week before. We knew it was one of her favourite songs so we got music in parts for those who were interested and we had our practice on Tuesday 28^th after our Music Theory class with Mrs. Ramlal in Studio one.

    For this composition by Mozart, I played the Tenor pan to one of the soprano parts they got me and Nella was there on the next one. We had fun skating in some of the middle parts but we got it out well towards the end. We had a keyboard, Steelpan, Timpani, Saxophone, Trombone, and Voice going together. I find playing outside in the grass was a nice idea but doing it in the open space was probably what made the sound more difficult to hear.

    I also had a recording of the song on my WhatsApp account that someone posted in the “Degree 2016” group. The day I was added to it was the day that Mrs. Neaves's mom had passed away. It was also a sad time for me because the class was still going on and then when she broke out, I broke out silently as tears ran down my face. It took me a little while to calm down because tears were just pouring down my face and then a nice girl gave me a tissue. I had to hold it in because my Indian Classical group was going to start. It was only during class that Brandon asked me if I was feeling okay and I told him when Eshay was there what had happened.

Link(s): 

1. Funeral Program & Obituary for Urmilta Cox.
2. "Lacrimosa" Score - (Tenor) from Performance.
3. Two "Lacrimosa" Group Performance Photographs.

VIDEO MAKING.

** Wednesday 3rd August 2022 **

    On this day, I was able to get a copy of the "Lacrimosa" performance and edit it for YouTube to send to the journal. It became a DAPHA Project at that point. I tried my best to work with what was done in the recording in a professional manner such as shakings and taking out extra periods of waiting. 

    This was not an easy task but I was proud of it and the group effort. Creating a cover picture for the video was another challenge but it was soon resolved when thinking of Mr. Archie. Thank you, Mr. Archie.

Link(s): 

1. Group Performance of "Lacrimosa" - Recording.

Daryl Zion M. Ali