First Haitian Benefit COncert In Haiti

Back in December, ASAPH Teaching Ministry played a concert in the Evangelical Chapel in Pasbwadom, Haiti.  (We've had a few fundraising concerts for the ministry of ASAPH here in the US.)  This concert was a first.  My ASAPH students prepared Christmas songs...solos, duets, and small groups.  On December 15th, we sold tickets for the big concert.  Tickets were $5 Haitian.  We raised about $480 Haitian for the local church's musical instrument fund.  I want my music students to use their talent to the glory of God...being servants with their skill.

The first part of the concert was the premier performance of an American jazz group.  A bassist, drummer, keyboardist, and guitarist played three songs in typical jazz styles full of improvisation.  I played sax.  It was a new idea for the musicians and the audience.  It was a good start, though we have room for improvement.  Then we had a variety of solos, duets, and small groups playing classic Christmas melodies.   Highlights were: a group of beginners from a congregation east of our town who played their first song in public, the premier performance of our ASAPH brass band, trumpet and trombone solos, and a song that features two -- count them -- TWO drum sets and a tin whistle.  That went pretty well, if I may say so.  The concert also featured two invited groups: a young people's choir from the Baptist church in our community, and a Christian band made up of musicians from several churches.  Our big closer was JINGLE BELLS with all kinds of musicians playing together.  

We got a standing ovation!  I was proud of the players, and happy for the community that received this new idea very positively.  I plan to have ASAPH concerts regularly in Pasbwadom providing a venue for Christian musicians to express their faith while raising money for the local Haitian church.