Musical Offering

Nicole Nascimento

As we anxiously stepped away from a closed museum we had planned to visit, we were in desperate need of a bathroom. Touring the streets of Soweto with Trevor Tutu, the museum was our last option. As we started to walk, I heard the sound of a violin. I thought I was going crazy. Since I’ve been playing the violin since I was 6, I assumed it was in my head. Then all of a sudden, Ward ran up to me and said jokingly, “There’s a violin school, you should play for them so we can use their bathroom!”

Nicole plays violin for music students in Soweto

Before I knew it, I was in front of a group of small children and teens with a violin in my hands and a lot of eyes on me. I suddenly blanked on every song I have ever learned and hearing my class yell at me to, “just do it,” didn’t exactly help. I looked up and saw a small girl, about 5 years old, with a tiny violin in her hand, eagerly staring at me. Seeing her made me think about when I learned my first fiddle song and how different it was from the classical music I had had to learn. I put the violin in place, set the bow, and played an upbeat, fiddle song. As soon as I started to play, I saw the faces of the young boys and girls; their expressions were priceless. The shock and joyous smiles on their faces brought me back to when I first started playing and how the older musicians amazed me.

After I played I talked to some of the music students. I could see that they enjoyed what they were doing and were excited to continue. The woman who taught the lessons told me that they were part of a strings program created to give children who wouldn’t usually be able to afford music lessons the opportunity to play. Hearing this made me happy because music is such a good way to express one’s self or escape from reality for awhile. It made me feel good to know that children who are less fortunate than I am could have this experience.

Before we left, the woman came up to me and said, “Thank you for playing today, you really inspired them.” Hearing this warmed my heart and motivated me to continue to work hard, as I know they will.

4 thoughts on “Musical Offering”

  1. Great story Nicole! So proud of what you’re doing. Stay safe, love Auntie Merlin and Uncle Chris!

  2. Way to step out there Nicole! It’s amazing how much you get in return when you give a bit of yourself. Now…were you able to use the bathrooms?
    Keep on writing guys, your shares of the trip have helped me live your trip vicariously, just without the jet lag 🙂 Stay open and engaged, something magical is happening to you all. You may not notice it tomorrow or when you immediately get back, but as time passes you will look back on this trip and realize.
    Much love,
    Manon

  3. Your stories are all so vivid and varied and well, vivacious.

    The range at the bottom – abandoned, drug addicted, poverty; onto the top -hope, inspiration, a new day, and then the very middle – needing to find a bathroom. This shows the roller coaster you are all on; carefully and lovingly brought to you by your MMS hosts, SN, Lisa and Devin and your folks who trusted you to them.

    Enjoy the ride and most importantly, don’t forget what you are experiencing and feeling and DO something with what you’ve learned on this trip.

    We miss you Nicole and Faye Faye iS eating very little in protest of your absence!

  4. “Musical Offering” brings to mind Serendipity & Play to Pay a sideways reference to the theme of MMS High School Play in 09-10 school year!

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