ICS and Kalala Students Strike A Chord Together

A group of our Grade 5 musicians collaborated with fellow young performers from the Kalala Learning Village in a rewarding musical exchange that enriched students from both schools. 

Kalala Learning Village is a community resource center and school in Summit, Addis Ababa, for students from Kindergarten to Grade 10. 

Through a series of joint rehearsals, students from ICS and Kalala worked side by side, learning from one another as they prepared for performances at both campuses.

The experience provided a valuable opportunity for the young musicians to develop their skills, perform for new audiences, and build their confidence in unfamiliar environments. 

“This collaboration between Kalala and ICS brings together young musicians from both schools to rehearse and perform as a mixed ensemble of strings and winds. Through shared rehearsals, performances, and school visits, students have had the opportunity to strengthen their musical skills and build connections through music," ICS Music Teacher Amanuel Debala said.  

“From our side it was really great to perform in a different environment, when we went to Kalala, our students got to experience a different environment, and a different audience and it was a great response that we got from students… and for the Kalala students visiting ICS was a great experience." 

The partnership has already sparked plans for future collaboration. Amanuel explained that both schools hope to continue the exchange into the next academic year with the hope of making the concert an annual event. 

"What we are thinking is to have the concert going once a year, but in the future we are also hoping to support the Kalala Learning Village," he said. 

Beyond the performances themselves, the collaboration offered important musical benefits for students from both communities. 

“For our students, playing in a bigger group, like an orchestra, when you think about orchestra, it’s not just wind instruments ... having strings in a band is a great addition to our music… from the other side, for Kalala students or even the music department would benefit from the ICS community just coming here, visiting the school is one thing. But also, if we can get support from anyone who is willing to support tier music department, we would want to push in the future."

The exchange has left bending more than just a successful performances, it has demonstrated the power of collaboration in helping young musicians grow and inspire one another.