By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: The Harmini Preparatory Music Academy, run by Prof Richard Harku Duncan Lyngdoh, who retired from the Chemistry Department of NEHU Shillong, and his wife Minette Marbaniang at Laitumkhrah, hosted a winter musical soiree at their residence at Pheridale, Upper Shillong, on Saturday.
The very nomenclature of the school is a contraption of their names “Harku” and “Minette”— both accomplished musicians. Present at the event were the proud parents and grandparents of the students learning various instruments, but mainly the piano. There was Caitlyn Sohliya, barely 10 years old but with her nimble fingers running through the piano keys effortlessly. Jason Dkhar played Für Elise, one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most significant popular compositions, also with equal finesse. Each one was confident of turning out the best performance for the audience.
There were piano duets, a guitar solo of the song, My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion, played with a rare skill. There were vocal solo performances as well as a dance performance by the children who seemed untouched by the searing cold, excited as they were to perform for their proud parents.
What’s interesting was to see another Dr Vijay Nongpiur, who carries the drumsticks in his inside coat pocket, perform his solo feat with the drums in a piece called “Stone Roller,” followed by another drum group performance with Igalung, Avniel, Ixaka and Nathan.
Dr Lashynna Marbaniang and her team of teachers at the Harmini school performed a series of Christmas carols even while Minette, who usually plays the piano, was, for a change, seen trying her hand at the cajon and enjoying the tap-tapping sound.
Later, Prof Duncan himself played one of his compositions out of the over-two-hundred self-composed pieces and delighted the audience. The piano comes alive at the touch of his hands. He and his wife Minette also played Mozart’s Sonata in D for four hands, K 381.
Dr Gordon Rangad, who was the chief guest for the evening, could be seen enjoying the soiree. A musician himself and a choir master, Dr Rangad was seen singing along and tapping to the beats of the melodic music.
Students look forward to putting their best foot forward at the annual event as they entertain their parents. Dr Lashynna teaches music as a form of communication which is part of the Trinity College of London’s curriculum, since music has transformative powers as well.