Doc,I went to the same Swiss/German nuns for piano classes. Unfortunately, I was not their star student. Even the threat of torture did not enable me to follow exactly what was written on the sheet music. In fact, till this very day, whenever I see a nun in white habit, my fingers start paining - in memory of the wooden rulers used as a teaching aid in the 1960s. :-) I do not remember the nuns teaching the violin but the Dar Music Conservatory did teach the violin and I saw many Africans studying there in the 1960s. At the time, formal tuitions in music were expensive and not many could afford it. On a different note, you are aware that the Zanzibar Goan Institute was handed over to a taraab club. The last time I visited the club house, the taraab violin section was having their practice. One young teenager was exceptionally good. I later found out he was the grandson of a famous violinist. I have heard a lot about Elma Cota's singing but I can't remember her. During my time, Lulu Carvalho used to sing solos for the English mass. Her voice was clear as a bell. People used to go for that mass just to hear her sing. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will soon hear your grandson play live :-)
For those who have not heard the national anthem for a long time or have not seen the inside of St Joseph's for a long time, here is a video of parishioners singing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7rLuHSbiVU Mervyn --------------------------------------------------------------------On Thursday, December 9, 2021, 07:11:11 a.m. CST, Adolfo Mascarenhas <[email protected]> wrote: Slightly more than 58 years ago Ophelia and myself exchanged vows in St, Joseph. Right in front of the altar but raised high up was the piped organ and the choir. The Choir included a few Goans, Swiss nuns Right at the end Elma Cota sang the Ava Maria solo. No mike but her voice vibrated in the huge cathedral. It was a great moment. I cherished it for a long time especially when I was in California. God had really given Elma a very great gift. Sometimes I wondered who trained her to sing.
