Hello, everyone.
June’s Newsletter starts with answering a request for details from a music lover and long-time supporter of Urukundo’s music program. Let’s take a look at the history of the music program. The very slow and thoughtful process took 20 years and began in 2006, before we had a school.
Donated bells and kazoos come first
Music began with Ruth Cox, a dear friend and benefactor from Pennsylvania, USA, who gifted our kids with a set of bells crafted for children and kazoos that would let the kids make music of a sort. This took place in 2006 while we were still in Giterama town listening to and watching the musical “The Sound of Music.” We had no school at that time. We were a home for girls. Those girls loved music, sang, danced, and enjoyed the bells and kazoos.
Urukundo honored her contribution in 2016.
Violin donation helps program to grow
In July 2009, Urukundo became Urukundo Home for Children and moved to the Cyeza sector. Visitors started to arrive.
Keena Thrush, a teacher and accomplished concert violinist from Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, USA, came and brought her violin. Her enthusiasm inspired our kids. Keena left the violin at Urukundo when she departed for home.
By 2014, we had a keyboard, kazoos, a set of little bells, and a violin. The kids just enjoyed making a “joyful noise.” That noise reached Keena Thrush back in Pennsylvania. She talked to her friend J.R. Judd, who is the owner of J.R. Judd Violins in Williamsport. By this point, more of our children wanted to play the violin.
Keena gave Sarah, who is Keena’s special friend at Urukundo, a violin of her own.
A gift of violins arrived at Urukundo from Keena and our benefactor, Mr. Judd.
Friends of music – Dale, Barb and Margie, visitors from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – recognized the potential of music at Urukundo and started funding our program. That really was a blessing.
Gifts of more instruments arrive
In 2017, we received a guitar and it soon became a favorite with our kids.
Lucky on guitar
David and his guitar
Urukundo’s good friend Kyle Jerro, who at the time was a linguistic student in Kigali from the USA, played a Fender guitar and sang for the kids.
This Fender guitar was a very special gift.
Learning to play the violin.
Rwandan instruments are included
We also acquired some Rwandan string instruments, encouraging our kids to honor Rwandan music.
Traditional drums were added.
Permanent music teacher hired
In 2018, music finally became part of our teaching program at Urukundo Learning Center. A permanent music teacher was added to our staff.
Director of Music Emmanuel Iyakaremye
Emmanuel respected both traditional and modern music. A band was established. We had few instruments, but we used what we had. Teaching music was the goal.
Respecting traditional drums, we started teaching a few students.
More children wanted to be drummers. Expansion took place.
The kids liked the traditional drums but wanted a drum set.
Finally, in 2021, thanks to your donations, we were able to purchase a drum set.
Student musicians perform
In June 2019, we presented our first performance as a band or orchestra, with the chorus singing.
In front of this audience.
From 2019 until now, the band has participated in all programs held in the school auditorium and every graduation.
Sound system rented. One day, we will have our own.
Music and kids are a good combination.
First-grader on keyboard. Soso on drums.
P3 student on electric guitar.
Student on the trombone.
Student learning the saxophone.
In March 2025, more instruments were added, thanks to John Irwin and the Rotary Club of Wilkinsburg-Regent Square, Pennsylvania, USA.
Here are Teacher Emmanuel and Rotarian John Irwin with the instruments.
Musical instruments now available include flutes, clarinets, ukuleles, trumpets, recorders, handbells, acoustic guitars, electric guitar, violins, a trombone, a saxophone, and keyboards. We are blessed. We don’t have a full orchestra or a marching band, but we do have a group of enthusiastic musicians with a love of music. Thanks to so many, and our Music Director Emmanuel.
Our music director does minor maintenance of the instruments, and qualified people who can do major maintenance come to the school upon request. Our instruments do not leave the campus and are in safe hands. It is our hope that students in our program may become technicians for musical instruments and music teachers in the future.
Hillside House of Music becomes a reality
Our space for instrument storage and practice was confined to a small space in the teachers' resource building. The space was very limited.
Now, we really had to have a separate building for our music program. What to do about it? God in charge.
After the Tom Nunnally Sewing Center moved to a permanent location, Hillside House, formerly a classroom for the center, became available.
In 2026, this seemed a perfect location for music. It could be soundproofed and air-conditioned, and we would have the needed space.
Renovation began.
After renovation, it looks like a different house. It is now the HIllside House of Music.
What it looks like now. Racks to hold shoes, removed before entering a classroom.
Finished product.
Entrance view walking into the Hillside House of Music.
A different view of the same area.
The area has acoustic floor covering and air conditioning. The whiteboard is for studying music theory. The next item needed was a vacuum cleaner.
Always one thing leads to another.
Lots of space for practice and instruments. It is beautiful.
The program continued expanding. We now have a large chorus of many children who love to sing.
A band, though small. Room for growth.
Beginning of an orchestra.
This student loves playing the drums.
With the addition of the Hillside House of Music, visitors are welcome and can participate in our teaching program. A sound system was added. Instruments on display for visitors to see.
Preschoolers are an important part
The very best result of the progress in 20 years, from 2006 to 2026, is that we now have space for our youngest to enjoy and learn the pleasure of music.
In preschool, there were only two small violins for many learners. Judd Violins has come to our aid once again. Violins, the perfect size to fit these little hands, are on their way to Urukundo along with several larger ones. Thank you, Mr Judd.
Daycare kids also like to make music.
We’re No. 1
In the most recent chapter of our music story, we won the National Music Competition in May. The music competitions took place on five levels: Local, Sector, District, Province and National. Urukundo students took first place at all levels.
Team ready to compete on Level 5, the National Level.
Urukundo Learning Center was the national winner on May 23. Urukundo’s music program is No. 1 in the whole country.
This was their first year to compete. They represented our music program well.
Future is bright
We have just begun. Take notice, world.
I am so proud of all the kids who brought home the trophy for Urukundo Learning Center. Our future looks bright. Do we have goals? Indeed, we do.
I asked Emmanuel, our music director, to share with me where he sees Urukundo’s music program in the next 10 years.
I share his hopes, dreams, and goals with you:
Vision for the Urukundo House of Music
To develop Urukundo Learning Center into a leading center of music education in Rwanda, where every child has the opportunity to discover, learn, and share the gift of music while preserving Rwandan culture and building skills that can serve them throughout their lives.
Through quality music education, performance opportunities, and community engagement, the Urukundo House of Music will inspire creativity, discipline, confidence, teamwork, and excellence in every learner.
Goals for Future Growth
Build a Full Orchestra
Increase the number of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
Create separate sections for violins, flutes, clarinets, trumpets, and drums.
Perform regularly at school and community events.
Create Brass Band sections in secondary school when it starts
Develop a Children's Choir
Expand the chorus into a well-trained choir.
Continue to learn songs in Kinyarwanda, English, and other languages.
Participate in regional and national competitions.
Establish Community Outreach
Offer music workshops for neighboring schools.
Host annual music festivals at Urukundo.
Invite musicians and music teachers from Rwanda and abroad.
Improve Facilities
Complete the House of Music with additional equipment and resources.
Purchase sound systems, recording equipment and instrument storage.
Create a small recording studio for students.
Strengthen International Partnerships
Continue partnerships with donors, music organizations, and Rotary clubs.
Develop instrument sponsorship programs.
Encourage visiting musicians to teach master classes.
A Long-Term Dream
One inspiring long-term goal could be:
"By 2035, Urukundo House of Music will be recognized as one of Rwanda's leading youth music centers, producing outstanding musicians, preserving traditional culture, and providing life-changing opportunities for children through music."
Looking at your achievements—from a few bells and kazoos in 2006 to winning Rwanda's National Music Competition in 2026—this dream is realistic. The next step is not only to teach music but to become a center of excellence that helps children, schools, and communities across Rwanda.
I do hope you enjoy this write-up of music program details.
Seeing is believing. Come spend some time with our students.
Any questions? Please ask.
To our readers, if there is an aspect of Urukundo you would like more information about, please let me know. Email me at brown.arlene30@gmail.com.
