News

We are writing to express our deepest thanks for your recent donation to Anna Lindblom. Generous gift from donors like you provide the wonderful keyboard and and moral support needed to continue our mission.

There is no way to fully express our gratitude for your loyalty. We at MES are continually inspired by the the dedication and generosity of donors like yourself who traveled a long way and brought us such a donation.

It is our hope that this small post will help to communicate our very big thanks for your generosity. We look forward to a continuing partnership with you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J8QurS-z1k

Mission : Spread the music

I was 8 years old the first time I touched a piano. My mother noticed my interest in music and let me take piano lessons. 17 years later, I pursue my dream to make music my living, and I still feel so thankful and lucky having grown up in a home where my musical aspirations were acknowledged, allowed and encouraged.

Teaching English in Luang Prabang, Laos, in 2011, I discovered that there were no pianos present in the entire city! Yet my former students showed a great interest in music, and we often sung together during class. Music is an excellent way of expressing oneself, both for the outgoing students and for the shy ones. I think that many of these children would have the same dream as I, if they’d had the opportunity to play a musical instrument. But how can one fulfil ones dreams, if one never get the chance to know what this dream may be?
Since 2011, I’ve had a vision of bringing an electric piano to Luang Prabang so that my former students, and anyone who wants, can get the chance to learn how to play. My ambition is to spread music beyond economical and geographical borders because I think that music should be for everyone.
Luang Prabang has changed a lot since 2011, and there are currently 2 music schools there. That’s great. However, the demand is still a lot higher than the resources available. One of the music schools doesn’t even have a piano! And not all students can afford these lessons.

This is why I now ask you guys to help me collect money via gofundme.com to provide an electric piano each for the 2 music schools in Luang Prabang.The goal is to have them there by November of this year. I will buy the pianos in the capital Vientiane, and transport them to Luang Prabang. Both music schools told me they’d appreciate a donation of a piano, and also encouraged me to come and volunteer as a piano teacher for 2 weeks. I bought my flight ticket so I just need your donations to buy the pianos.

Every donation is highly appreciated. If you donate 20 euros or more, you’ll get a handwritten thank you card from Laos. If you donate 50 euros or more, I’ll also make sure to have your name written on the pianos that will stay in Luang Prabang!

As I spoke of this project in Paris, many people got interested and encouraged me to take it all a step further. I have a camera man that will come with me to Luang Prabang, and a film editor in Paris that will edit the footage and make a documentary. This will be a wonderful souvenir to everyone involved in this project, and also something to show future investors – because a project of this kind might be useful and important in many places of the world.

Let’s spread the music!!

https://www.gofundme.com/annaleyamusic

ES Basic Guitar Lesson Book is contained basic information, theory and exercises of how to play the guitar for beginners. It’s developed from the first lesson that’s used at MES from two years and a half.  We have added more exercises and more basic techniques into it that’s considerable important to know. The book has totally 56 pages and the exercises are: general information about the guitar, how to use left and right hands, finger practice, basic scales, tuning, how to read music, left and right hand position, basic open chords, strumming patterns, barre chords, Major and Minor scales, notes in a chord, chords order, suspended chords, power chords, key chord chart, finger picking, Major and Minor pantatonic scales, techniques should know and many songs.

MES and its people are so impressed  with such  touching regards  from one of the many students from MES Fb page and would love to share this to the world.

“First of all, I would like to say thank you to every Teachers here. I’m very much proud to learn the musician here as specially as guitar. This school is only one non-profit school in Luang Prabang. Every one from 7 years old up who has interesting about the musician can come to apply to learn here. The children has opportunity to learn the musician in the free time after school instead of do nothing or playing non-useful. Hopefully this school will be get the supporting from every one to have more and more musician activities.

Hello, this is Steve! Steve is a music teacher from Canada (teaching guitar since 2004, school band since 2009). He plays several different musical instruments:vocal harmonies, keyboard, trumpet, and some guitar depending on the song. He’s travelling with his little acoustic guitar to Luang Prabang and came cross MES. He was volunteering at MES for few days during his stay. He first came into MES and sit around with students and helped out with their lessons. Then he came up with a great idea for the intermediate/ advance students about the scales and improvisations.  Steve also proudly introduced the link of his project on youtube “Adam Washburn and The Elements live”.

So far, it’s been over a month that the traditional music workshop has been going and the students are mastering and having fun with their practice.Here’s a video of the students jam with the instructor. 11/10/2015

Sincerely appreciate the Kirida Hotel (www.snhcollection.com/kiridara) for giving MES the opportunity to share Lao songs  with acoustic guitars. Also many thanks for allowing us to display and hand out the MES brochures there.

It’s nice to meet you at MES Marimus and Jrene Wolthuis from Halland and  Sai Ying from China. Hope you enjoy your visit to MES and thanks for your positive comments.

Thanks Kristin Halntsch and Tessa Michels from Germany for your visit to MES. It’s a pleasure showing it around the school  and special thanks for you donation!!! Wish you all the best and pleasant stay in Luang prabang.

Sern Tiew Luang Prabang = Welcome to Luang Prabang