the Mongolian Cultural center

Here are some pictures that Mike took when he went to the show a few weeks ago. He was kind enough to let me post some of them here.

Mongolian Contortionists

Mongolian Contortionists
Originally uploaded by Wanderings

Just wanted to share another video from the performance we saw on Tuesday night. This isn't for those of you who have weak stomachs. ;)

Humi: Mongolian Throat Singing

Humi: Mongolian Throat Singing
Originally uploaded by Wanderings

Tonight, Mike took the team to a traditional Mongolian concert. The program included: Mongolian folk songs and dances, traditional instruments, a contortionist act (which is relatively new to Mongolian culture), and Humi -- a type of singing that is (I believe) found only in Mongolia.

Thanks to Ardi, we are able to share a clip of this amazing sound. Listen for a bi-tonal sound ... both the high whistling and the low reed-like humming are coming from this man's throat. Wow!

Tuesday - Work Day #2

the finished product
Originally uploaded by Wanderings

I know this may not look like much to you all, but to us this is the happy result of two hard mornings (and one afternoon) spent sorting through boxes and boxes of crafts supplies and sports equipment. Everything is now well-labeled (thank you, Rachel), organized, and re-packed in the storage loft area of the school's computer lab.

Go, team!!!

Music Theory

Originally uploaded by Wanderings

None of the members of the Root of Blessing worship team have ever received any formal music training. Nothing in school. No private tutors. They've picked everything up by watching videos, studying chord charts, or just playing around until they were able to match sounds. This is pretty amazing considering how great they sounded in church on Sunday!

They are all eager to improve their skills, though, and so have asked (begged, really) Scott to spend a couple of afternoons this week teaching them basic music theory: how to read music, how to harmonize, and any tips he can give them on their particular instruments. Today was their first theory day and it was a hit! When Mike went to pick up Scott, it was well past the time the meeting was supposed to end and they were still going strong. As Scott wrapped things up, the team indicated that they were going to stay and spend some more time practicing what they had learned.

Scott is really looking forward to tomorrow. With such enthusiastic participants, can you blame him?!