Finale Concert

Friday started with a late breakfast at 9 AM(!!) followed by a few hours of much enjoyed free time spent reading, talking and playing basketball (and some napping in my case). After a lunch of delicious roti filled with curry we headed out to see the Ubuntu Education Fund offices in Port Elizabeth. The philosophy of this center comes from the idea that "a person is a person through other persons”; that no one should have to go though life alone in poverty without getting the help they need. The office, which was physically beautiful to look at incorporating many traditional South African motifs, offered everything from educational support to medical care for children living with HIV/AIDS. We took a tour of the premises learning about the Fund and all the good it does for the community before regrouping for our second to last concert in South Africa for the staff of Ubuntu. And what a concert! Not only was our singing matched with cheers and claps throughout, people also began to sing and dance along with us! Rather than a formal performance it became just a group of people taking part in the universal joy of music. This joy was infectious, no one could keep a smile from their face by the end. Our rendition of Thuma Mina and Emlanjeni even brought staff up to the stage, singing and clapping in perfect rhythm. I had been tired and a bit homesick that morning but singing with friends and strangers side by side uplifted me immeasurably.

After that energizing concert at the Ubuntu Education Fund we got back on the bus and went to our current makeshift home in Port Elizabeth. There, we had free time to read, jump on the trampoline, and swim in the freezing pool. I was only able to withstand the icy water for a few seconds while others were in there for quite a while. Later, we got back on the bus and departed for our final concert of the tour (and my last BCS concert ever) at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church. The concert was filled with tears of joy, sadness, and nostalgia. I personally shed some tears for “This May be the Last Time” because of its ironically fitting title and beautiful tune. The smaller audience made this concert extremely intimate and memorable because we weren’t just singing for them, we were singing for ourselves. Before our final official song, the newly learned African Medley, the Priest thanked us because we had completely changed her mood. As we left the Cathedral where we were singing, we all joined together for a crying and hugging party and then a final informal performance of Shosholoza. But the concert didn’t stop there. We sang all the way home, starting strong with newer songs that everybody knew and then singing old songs. The key didn’t matter though because we were all enjoying it. We finally arrived home singing our new favorite song: the African Medley.

Rozi

-- Quote of the Day:

“I really like this quote which says that ‘Music is a piece of art that goes in the ears and straight to the heart’ and tonight that is exactly what you have done for us. Thank you!” said the Priest of the St. Saviour’s Anglican Church as she greeted us at the end of the concert.

Singer of the Day:

Caroline, for a your touching performance at the finale concert. Congratulations!

Shoutouts:

Luke, thank you for stepping up and singing the World Rhythm Ensemble solo on short notice!

Hannah, for always delivering inspiring performances.