Bwana Asifiwe: Behind the Music

In our upcoming concert series, we are playing "Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)," by Cathy Moklebust.

Ms. Moklebust has published many handbell pieces and won awards for her composition work. You can learn more about her at the Cathy Moklebust web site.

Bwana Asifiwe stands out from most handbell music, by conveying a strong African sound, not to mention the percussion section in the middle of the piece. So we wanted to ask what inspired her to arrange the song for handbells. She graciously agreed to tell us the story:

Back in 2003 I was commissioned by the Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to write a piece in honor of their music director Darcy Reich, and her 25 years of music ministry.  I recall that they wanted something with an African sound, as they had used my “African Alleluia” before, and liked that style.  Being a percussionist myself, I have all sorts of rhythms and motives going through my head, so it was easy to find inspiration.  What I envisioned was a procession of people heading to worship over the African landscape, singing, dancing, and playing instruments along the way.  At first we can barely hear them, but as they come closer, their music and drumming becomes louder and more involved.  The music is loudest and most rhythmic in the middle of the piece, as if the worshippers are directly in front of us. As they trail off, the music returns to the opening theme, and ends joyously. I did some internet searching on various “praise” phrases used in the Swahili language, and I learned that “Bwana Asifiwe” means “Praise the Lord,” and is often used as a greeting among African Christians. I did learn later on that the words “Bwana Asifiwe” are actually pronounced as one word: BWA-na-sa-FEE-way.

This original composition delights ringers and listeners alike with its upbeat and rhythmic African flavor in ¾ meter, and it is hard to stand still and ring, and equally difficult for the audience to sit still!  The African percussion instruments needed are 2 hand drums, and small and large shakers, but congas, maracas, and guiro may be substituted if necessary.  The percussionists are encouraged to improvise freely throughout the piece, and especially in their solo between measures 69-76.  During the percussion solo, ringers are encouraged to clap, dance in place, and invite audience participation.  The handbell techniques included are pluck, mallets, martellato, and martellato-lift.  There are 3 easy key changes, but no bell changes within each section.  Over the years, Bwana Asifiwe has become a favorite piece for massed ringing at handbell festivals, and I’ve watched and listened with glee as other conductors masterfully interpret my piece and add creative movement.  Such fun!

Cathy A. Moklebust
Eagle Grove, IA
http://www.cathymoklebust.net

Thank you for Cathy Moklebust for sharing! We've enjoyed playing Bwana Asifiwe, both bells and percussion. Special thanks from the ringers who get to do a little dancing.

Spring 2012 Members

We've got our official group photo for the season!

Rehearsing with Youth Choral Theater

Getting ready for this afternoon's concert in Techny.

Concert in Northbrook

First concert tonight!

Chicago Bronze on TV

Chicago Bronze will appear on the 10pm evening news on Friday, December 2, 2011. The Chicago CBS affiliate, WBBM-TV Channel 2, came out to film us this week, the last rehearsal before our first concert. Kate Sullivan interviewed a couple of our members and learned about handbells.
Ms. Sullivan is a very experienced reporter, but we're guessing she doesn't usually spend that much time recording her subjects with her personal phone camera when there's a perfectly good camera crew right there.
We're really glad she was able to come to our 7pm rehearsal, since she anchors the 5pm and the 10pm news downtown. Thank you to the CBS2 Chicago crew for giving us the opportunity.

Congrats to CB Member Laura Olsen

Congratulations to Chicago Bronze member Laura Olsen, on her recent award from the Piano Technicians Guild.

"Our first honoree for the PTG Hall of Fame has spread her sunshine and support through all corners of this organization and most of Chicagoland PTG. Laura Olsen, RPT, is not daunted by many tasks; she is as comfortable atop the mast of a sailboat on Lake Michigan as on the top of a stepladder in the PTG Home Office storage room. The first ever recipient of the PTG Foundation Scholarship to attend the convention and take an exam, Laura went on to give back service to the Foundation by serving in four of its offices and as a director. She served as chair of the Economic Affairs Committee and was elected to the PTG Board of Directors as Central East Regional Vice President.

One reason Laura is a valuable resource to our organization is that she is as comfortable sitting at the table to brainstorm solutions as she is rolling up her sleeves to get the actual work done. Anyone who has served five years on the Institute Committee definitely knows how to roll up the sleeves and brainstorm both.

She is a friendly and engaging communicator who brings people into the organization and helps them become active and productive members. Laura is a person who chooses to take a positive outlook on life, not someone who has simply been handed an easy road to go. Her determination and dedication are intentional.

Laura served as vice president and president of the Waukegan, Illinois, Chapter in the late 1990’s, before transferring to the Chicago Chapter in 2002. In 2002, she was also awarded PTG’s Member of Note.

Laura Olsen, on behalf of the members of the Piano Technicians Guild, we thank you for sharing your talents, time and loyalty to our profession. It is our pleasure to enroll you in our Hall of Fame."