By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: Shillong-based Harmini Music Academy, on Saturday, held a musical concert for a select audience comprising the parents of their students and guests at U Soso Tham auditorium. For music aficionados, it was a transcendental experience as students from the youngest to the oldest performed like professionals creating harmony with their voices and the musical instruments they handled.
The academy is run jointly by Dr Richard Harku Duncan and Minette Duncan Marbaniang.
It was a treat to watch little kids as young as 4-5 years old playing percussion instruments and beating the drums with a passion rarely seem. They enjoyed what they were doing and that is what delights the audience. While some solo singers sang their hearts out those singing in groups too wooed the audience with their heart melting melodies. String ensembles and Lashynna Marbaniang on the flute churning out such heavenly melody was a joy to listen to.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Minnette Duncan Marbaning said, “We teach the students both theory and practice so that they can read music. There’s Meldaris Nongdhar, who teaches the violin,
Matsram Sangma, who teaches the drums, Dr Lashynna Marbaniang, who teaches both the flute and vocals and also drama performance and communication skills. Asmond Kharchandy and Pushpa Raj Thakuri teach the guitar, while Badondor Synrem Minette Duncan Marbañiang and Given Star Nongkhlaw teach the piano, and Dr Richard Duncan Lyngdoh teaches Advanced Theory and Diploma. All teachers teach theory.
It was evident that the students aspire to be the best in their field when four of them played on a single piano. While there are many occasions when people have heard “Piano Four Hands” — meaning two people playing on one piano — but “Piano Eight Hands” was an entirely different experience and the students seemed to enjoy what they were doing. There was also a piano ensemble with “Four Hands.”
Munish Singh, Regional Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), who was the chief guest on the occasion, lauded the efforts of Harmini Music Academy and said the performance of the students from the very young ones to the older ones was superb. “I have visited the academy and found it to be an institute that has the promise of churning out some of the best artistes from the state and region. We are proud of the talent in our state and region and they make us proud. The Shillong Chamber Choir have just returned from the UK after performing at the Nehru Centre London, and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on December 5 last. This special concert was hosted by the Consulate General of India, Birmingham in collaboration with ICCR.”
Speaking as the guest of honour, Dr Tanya Syiem, whose children are also training at Harmini, and who is herself a musician, said, “Music has a way of touching our emotions like nothing else can. Music can communicate what words fail to do. Hence, it has a very special place in our lives and I can see that in my own children.” She lauded the efforts of Harmini and the teachers and encouraged them to continue to deliver their best.
For the audience, it was two hours of pure bliss even as the little geniuses belted out some of the best Christmas songs.
