Acampamúsica 2010

Mara teaches pre-school music at ALPHA on Monday mornings, goes to the university during the week to get her music degree and plays flute in her church's orchestra.

ACAMPAMÚSICA literally translated is CAMP - MUSIC...just our version of Band Camp. This year was our first attempt at such a venture. It turned out to be a great experience.

Gisele is also getting her degree in music at our local university. She got the percussion section started reading music and learning some of the different instruments they will use during this next year.

The kids arrived at "band camp" (our house!) Friday afternoon for orientation and then had their first REAL LIVE lesson. Various teachers taught the students how to put their instruments together, basic care and how to make their first music or "noise". :)


Milton, my co-teacher at ALPHA gets the reed instruments (alto sax and clarinet) going. Since we have so many new students we now have two bands...returning students and new students. He directs one of the groups while I direct the other.

Swimming, eating, playing games and just plain old hard practice took up the majority of the time.

Marcos came to give a mini-presentation on the clarinet, trumpet and saxophone (not all at the same time!!!) He plays first trumpet and is the assistant director of the city band in Mossoró.

It always helps to have a little window into what the future holds, so we wanted to give the beginning students an idea of what they will be able to do if they are dedicated. Several people graciously came to play for our audience of beginning musicians.

Daniel, a former ALPHA student and Alicia presented a clarinet/trombone duet.

Ron prepared the devotional for Saturday morning.

Part of being in band means that the kids have one of their practices while their homeroom is having Bible class. These kids have Bible at a separate time every week.

ALPHA'S Beginning Band 2010

Catching Up

March/April 2009 have just whizzed by...I have no idea how. In an effort to make ammends, here are some of the "happenings"....

Anabel received a "Flat Stanley" that she took to introduce to her classmates at ALPHA before sending back to her 2nd cousin in Georgia. Check out the book to discover why a little paper man came to visit.

Unusually beautiful sunset in April.

ALPHA Staff Retreat at our British friends' house and church 40 miles from Mossoró.

Ron's brilliant organizational skills helped us get this 1008 piece puzzle put together before we finished the retreat (in less than 48 hours).

Atenildo checking out the "loo"...10 gummies for any correct guesses as to what that is!

Cooling off in the water hole.

Ok, one picture of my white legs is enough already! (From the looks of it, Jon thinks so, too.)

A Fine Way to Begin 2009

One of the local papers quitely reported the good news on December 18th

In 2006 ALPHA was the topic of debate in a Mossoró city hall meeting. The result was that ALPHA was declared to be "useful to the public" by city leaders. That simple statement gives ALPHA tax-exempt status on the local level.

RECOGNITION: The paper reports a new "law" was passed that declares the ALPHA EDUCATIONAL CENTER of Mossoró as "useful to the public". The above article states that...ALPHA is a not for profit organization with the intent to serve the community.

This year, we went a layer deeper. One of ALPHA's Teachers has a good friend who is a State Senator. Together these men guided us through the hoops in getting this same recognition at the state level.

The next step is to acheive federal recognition. It will be the 3rd of 5 steps in ALPHA becoming exempt from paying a 20% payroll tax which weighs heavily on us each pay period. Now, that's something to look forward to!

You Never Know What to Expect

Breaking up some of the rough, cement floor in the canteen area. It will be replaced with a smooth, low maintance floor in this high traffic area.

ALPHA has been undergoing a bit of renovation the minute the kids were let out on vacation earlier this month. There has been a lot of pipe layed for plumbing for two new bathrooms in the pre-school classrooms and even a new foundation/wall where the original wall ajoined with the neighboring property. Yet to come: new ceiling and new floors.

There are always lots of little things that come up when you do a project like this. For instance, wouldn't it make much more sense to install a new floor in a high traffic area just outside the classrooms that they are being remodeled. So...


Tell me this is a joke...

What was thought to be some loose cement that needed to be torn up turned out to be MUCH more...

Just a 7x7 foot hole under the floor. The steel was not in very good shape, so it was a blessing to have "found" this new developement right under our feet. It sure provided a wee bit of excitement for the guys working on the project. :)

The canteen was originally a little house...the hole was a septic or something.

Ok, now we gotta fill this thing in, right?!

"Blow'n" Away!

The 2008 ALPHA Junior High Band

photo touch up by Sheila Flickinger (THANKS!)

Have I ever mentioned that ALPHA has a Junior High Band? :) Ok, I know you are probably getting tired of hearing that, but I just have to tell you about the really cool thing that happened...and it was even for the second time.

Last year some friends came to visit us and spend a few weeks helping us in the church and Christian school ministries. Part of their ministry was to bring some badly needed accessories for our band instruments. They took the list to the music store, told the manager what they needed and why. Then the store proceeded to donate a good portion of the items. Cool!

This year, the same friends were in that same music store and were asked if ALPHA didn't need any more supplies and accessories. Oh, boy! I don't know who has adopted whom, but we are thrilled that these friends have taken us on as their project.

ALPHA has had 20 instruments donated by friends in the last 6 years that we have slowly put into service. This year we were finally able to put all of them to use. With all the supplies we received, it was possible to outfit ALL the instruments with cleaning swabs, valve oil, reeds, polishing cloths and even some new cases to replace the old worn out ones.

Our heart-felt thanks!

Practicing for our first presentation on March 31st...a mini concert for the parents.

MILESTONES!

Our FIRST 9th grade graduating class

...remember finishing Jr. High?

ALPHA's humble beginning in 2000 started with 10 students - pre-school through 2nd grade. Each year since then, we have added one new grade. This month, we released our first class of 9th graders to go forth and take over the world. We do not offer the three years of Brazilian High School at this time. One day this may change, but for now we are committed to excelling in the 4 pre-school classes and the additional 9 grades.

***************************************

Having grown from 10 to 250 students (in 7 years) means that every single year were were multipying. Though this was strategic and needfull, we are now focusing on driving down pilings/roots that will equip ALPHA to be a powerfull light in Mossoró and beyond over the next decades.

***************************************

Party Time

The ALPHA Staff of 2007 (with spouses and significant others)

December 13th is a local holiday here in Mossoró. For that reason, we end ALPHA's classes on the 12th so we don't have to go back to classes after the holiday. It also makes for a really convenient day to have ALPHA's staff party. No classes, no "other jobs", no distractions and a whole day to get ready for the thing!!!

The ALPHA Staff Christmas Party is our team's opportunity to honor this really hard working bunch of people. This year the party was held at our house (the Stucky team members each take turns...this was our year).

The MENU

Appetizer - Cheese and Meat cubes with crackers, Fruit table, Egg Nog

Main Course - Spaghetti with a choice of red sauce with meat, carbonara sauce (see recipe below!!!) or cheese sauce

Salad with Ranch Dressing

Garlic Bread

And of course, we get to feast on the left-overs for a few meals, which is one well-deserved bonus for knocking ourselves out for such a thing as this. :)

CARBONARA SAUCE

Fry till crisp and set aside:

2 packages of bacon cut up into tiny bits

In large sauce pan melt:

4 Tbsp. butter or margarine

Whisk in:

4 Tbsp. flour

Whisk in:

2 cups milk

Cook till thick. Add:

1/2 cup Parmesean Cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Just before serving add:

bacon

Serve over hot pasta tossed with olive oil.

It's one of our favorites!!!

Alice in Musicland

Alicia played "Alice" in the first performance of "Alice in Musicland" ALPHA's school musical

We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel at ALPHA. Only a week of school left, but it is the busiest week of the whole year: school musical, enrollment, testing, report cards, staff Christmas party, goodbyes, etc.

Alicia turns 11 today. She played Alice in our school musical "Alice in Musicland". We had a double cast (that way anyone who didn't make it had someone else who could fill in without any problems). The first cast performed for the student body and the second one performed for the closing night of the pre-school program.

Our two music groups, the recorder ensemble and the band, provided live accompaniment for the songs that were sung by the pre-school department.

It's OFFICIAL

Atenildo

The man behind all the reams of paper work (and that is no exaggeration!!)

There was no sweeter news than to find out today that the Secretary of Education has granted the ALPHA Educational Center it's accredidation. And none too soon. After 8 years we are finally an official school that is recognized by the powers that be.

Our first 9th grade class will be "graduating" (in just 3 1/2 weeks!!!) and they will walk away from ALPHA with "the real thing". This is a HUGE step in the school's history for which we are extremely grateful (and relieved!).

THIRD IN REGIONALS!!!

ALPHA BOYS SOCCER TEAM

THIRD PLACE IN REGIONALS!!!

Our boy's soccer team wowed us by beating out the "best team in the city" (the winners of the city-wide tournament in June) and placed third in our region. This was the first time our team had played in a statewide tournament.

The students weren't able to watch the game, because it took place during regular classes. When news got back that the boys had won 3rd, the entire student body packed out the sports court to surprise the boys as they arrived back at school.

Look, Mom, I'm on TV!

The "Band" all ready for the program (some are even smiling despite the nerves!)

Tuesday morning I got a phone call shortly after arriving home from school. "Would the school be interested in having one of it's music groups on a live show on Saturday night? The show caters to education and we hear you are doing something really different in the area of music education in Mossoró. "

WOW!!! It is true. ALFA is the only school in town that offers anything like this. What is so commonplace in some cultures, is practically non-existent in the Brazilian school setting. What a fantastic opportunity for our kids to represent ALFA in a really unique way.

Super nervous before the show, the kids played great.

I made it through the trombone solo, Mom!!!

Just a few more measures....

Ken, the program's announcer - Clauder, and Milton - music teacher at ALFA

Ken, Milton and I answered questions from the announcer about the school and music education.

Hey, guys, it's over. Now we can really smile!

The Most Busiest Time of Year

Picture of pomegranate blossoms

Just when you think it can't get any busier...well, you know the rest! The end of the year is so full of special programs and events that sometimes we aren't sure what we are getting ready for. I had one student come to a school event with his clarinet. He finally tracked me down long enough to ask what room we were using to set up and practice in before going on stage. The funny thing was was that his program (a recital) wasn't till the FOLLOWING week. :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Alicia turned 10 years old today. Double digits. I was calculating that when Anabel turns 10, Alicia will be 14 and Jessica will be 18. OUCH! Goes by really fast, doesn't it.

The Preschool closing program (includes Kindergarten graduation) was VERY well attended by all the parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, brothers, sisters, etc. For some reason, interest in the little people runs high...their program is a huge highlight of the year. Anabel's class theme was Wisdom. They dramatized King Solomon and the two ladies with the one remaining baby. Caleb, Anabel's cousin, took part in the Kindergarten graduation and his class' presentation.

Anabel (center, back row) with her preschool class

Caleb Stucky (back row, far left) and the Kindergarten class of 2006

After the preschool's closing program, Ken and I took Alicia out to our favorite restaurante (remember, Tuesday is date night!). Because of the events and school and the big recital on Wednesday, we decided to take her with us. Lots of spaghetti, lasagnha and even a special plate of ravioli just for the birthday girl. She thought it was great. We managed to get the owner (a true blue Italian) to take our picture in front of the sign.

Happy Birthday Alicia!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Fat Lady Sang

The end of the year at ALPHA is a furry with enrollment, end of the year programs, last minute activities, sports events, and the list goes on.

One of the highlights was an end of the year recital we had last night at school. It was a dream realized. Since we started the school in 2000, music has been part of our curriculum. In a country where the school music program doesn't exist, it was a challenge to forge ahead despite the fact that most people don't have a clue what it is we are trying to do.

This year was the first time we were able to juggle the class schedule just enough to have two instrument groups practice twice a week. Recorder ensemble, lead by my co-teacher, Milton, was the larger of the group. Because of the availability and cost, recorders are the choice of instrument for most of these kids. All of our 3rd and 4th graders learn how to read music and play the recorder in their weekly music class. This optional class was designed for 5th - 7th graders who wanted to continue to learn.

RECORDER ENSEMBLE 2006

Band was a far bigger challenge. Using donated instruments (practically no one would be able to afford their own), seven students started learning the fingering and technique of their instruments. To top it all off, I managed to find a band method available on the internet (downloaded and printed the Adobe files) and started arranging songs for our mix of instruments. No available pre-made band arragments here!

BAND Six of the original 7 students finished the year. The really young one on the far right is me (just in case you didn't recognize!) :)

Jessica, Jezreel and André tried keyboard for a semester

Next year is just around the corner and I hope that the initial results will have spurred interest in more students to take the plunge. Will be sure to let you know how it goes!

VIOLIN QUARTET We invited one of the members from our violin ensemble to fill out a quartet as a guest presentation.

7th GRADE CHOIR This group practiced and performed at our first recital in June. For never having sung in a choir, these kids managed to learn 3 parts on several songs and really grew in their vocal ability. Due to scheduling problems we were unable to continue during the 2nd semester.