By Fr Ambrose Pereira, SDB

Gabutu, PNG, 31 July 2016 -- The Akkordeon Harmonists, a German based group that has toured Lithuania, Argentina and Sweden thrilled the Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu students with their music as they performed at the school on 29th July, 2016. The scene was set with a large raised stage at the front of the gymnasium and the words ‘without music, Life would B♭!’ boldly written on the stage. Fr. Roger Miranda, Rector of the Institute welcomed the group.

The performance commenced with the National Anthem of Papua New Guinea and Germany. They then played much loved tunes in honour of Don Bosco, while the students joined in singing the same. Then followed international tunes and songs that kept the students in rapt attention. A much remembered moment of the performance was when the orchestra played to the swaying of the baton by a DBTS student.

The 18 young students who form part of the orchestra funded their own travel fare. They aged from 16 to 31 years of age and played under the baton of Mr. Volkmar Thermer. Having chosen to be part of this trip, they practiced and rehearsed their well-chosen pieces for an entire year.

Salesian German Missionary Br Reto Wanner sdb, who has been a part of the orchestra, and now working as a missionary at DBTI, Boroko invited the group to play in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. “Music brings a lot of joy to people and despite the constraints of language, the young people have been able to understand each other”, he said.

“The excited and motivated young people, not knowing what to expect from these Pacific countries, prepared for the trip through a lot of research and reading”, said Ilona Seifert, journalist of the team. The first few days were difficult as they adjusted to a different time zone and got acclimatised to the heat and the humidity. Being welcomed by the warm hearted people has given the young people a deeper understanding of the people they had read about and widened their horizons of Melanesian culture to a great degree. “It has also brought the whole orchestra together as one big family”, said Kira Knöbel. “My grand uncle has been a Catholic missionary at Kundiawa and visiting the highlands with its beautiful landscape has given me the opportunity to connect with the life he lived”, said Tom-Henri Müller.

Fr. Angel Sanchez, principal recalled the words of Don Bosco, "A school without music is like a body without a soul, for music aids education. It is a most effective means to obtain discipline, morality and help good feeling”. On behalf of the entire school he thanked the orchestra for the wonderful morning and above all for sharing their talent ‘for free’.

In the afternoon the music group had the privileged opportunity of a music workshop, after which they proudly toured their tutors around the chapel, classrooms and workshops. Discipline and perfection are two key elements that have been picked up by the students of Don Bosco. They will now strive to put the same into practice as they rehearse for ‘Live the Dream’, a musical in honour of St. John Bosco to be staged on the 15th August, 2016.

During the past two weeks the group has completed 15 performances and workshops at different institutes including that of the Bomana prison. They return carrying with them pleasant memories of their interaction with the wonderful people of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

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