Recording Muyupampa

We wanted to update you on Allen's work with music development. The following excerpt, taken from our Peru Mission web page, demonstrates the impact the Gospel has on the music of a culture.

"Music is a universal phenomenon, but not a universal language. How we respond to music is learned in our homes and cultures. One of the signs that the Gospel is reaching the heart of a people is when they begin to compose their own music within their own musical forms. One of the music forms in Peru is musica folklorica (folk music). It is the mountain music from the majestic Andes and has some of the most distinctive instruments and melodic styles.

In north Peru many young adults migrated to the coastal city of Trujillo to study at the university. Many come from the jungle city of Moyobama, where resides the largest presbyterian church in Peru (around 800 members). These Moyobambinos have brought with them their love for the Gosple and Peruvian folk music. Several of them have formed a group called "Muyupampa," which is made up the two words muyu ("whirlpool or eddy") and pampa ("pasture"). When the two are combined it communicates "stirring up the calm."

In March 2008, Muyupampa recorded some live sample tracks. The band’s instrumentation made up with the following: panpipes (zamponas/sikus), flutes (quenas and tarkas), drum (bombo), a rattle made from sheep hooves (chaj’cha), a charango (a European influenced chordophone with resonator of wood or armadillo shell) and a classical guitar with nylon strings. Many of their songs com from the Evangelical Peruvian folklore group, Kerygma Canta. The majority of the musicians are now leading the music at the Larco congregation."

Here are their demos. We hope you enjoy!

1. Salmo 47
2. Salmo 8
3. Mi Pastor
4. Cristo es Dios
5. La Vida Misionera
6. Arbolito

Music Development Slideshow

I've been working on my Peru Mission presentation for our supporting churches. I just finished this sideshow that samples two of my favorite catechism songs (WSC 1 & 7). I hope you enjoy!

Music Development Update

Last week we held our first juries for our music scholarship students. Every quarter our students will be examined in front a panel of judges. We have piano, vocal, and guitar students. In the future we hope to boarden to violin, cello and other strings and possibly brass instruments. Our students were all evalutated so we can encourage those that are improving and challenge those who are lagging behind.

My right hand man, Daniel Ousley, recorded all of their performances so that we can compare their performance with future performances. It is our prayer that in six months, many of our students will begin to accompany the singing on the Lord's Day services.

Thanks to many of your financial contributions to our music scholarship program, four students are can take piano classes for two years. We still lack $2,500 for our scholarship program. Please ask God to raise up the sufficient funds so we can add more students to our program. If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please get in touch with me.

Here are some pictures from our juries:

Josue preforming for the judges
Go here to listen to Josue's performance.


Piano Students from the Witchansao Church

Piano Students from the Larco Church