Magic Music
Arn Chorn-Pond
(Maya) Arn Chorn-Pond is the man who started Cambodian Living Arts. He was 11 at the time when the Khmer Rouge started. Luckily he survived through this terrible time because of his cleverness and was able to talk to us right now. Arn became famous; he played the khin (musical instrument) and the Khmer Rouge were fond of him so they didn’t want to kill him so he could keep playing. Arn helped write a book called Never Fall Down. It is an inspiring story that you must read.
The students
Cambodian Living Arts (CLA), kept us entertained through out Cambodia. Arn Chorn-Pond started this program because he didn’t want kids or adults go through what he went through. While we were in Cambodia we learned how to play many instruments. It’s more difficult then you think! We also saw a puppet show and we learned how to make them too. Its not like regular sock puppet, it’s a flat, thick cow skin. To make the puppet you have to get a certain tool that makes holes in the cow skin. We also went to a lot of singing and dancing performances. CLA is an uplifting program and if you ever come to Cambodia you definitely should go and experience CLA.
The Khmer Magic Music Bus was my favorite CLA experience. We took this bus from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Battambang, Cambodia. We were accompanied by Arn-Chorn Pond and many magnificent musicians. It was a three-hour drive to Battambang, which was worth the drive. First they performed four beautiful songs for us. They have no notes or any music books to play off of they learn by ear and remember it by heart. Afterwards it was our turn to play. We got to play a drum it was made out of snakeskin and wood. The music we made was awful. Subsequently we arrived in Battanbang, Cambodia and sadly, that was the end of The Khmer Magic Music Bus.
Excellent writing Maya!
Arn sounds like a very inspirational and special person. I am ordering the book today.
That is one happy bus!
I also love the rapper at dinner. Nice combination of instrumentation with a modern twist of lyrics.
Thanks for capturing all of this in your blog Maya. Miss you Brown Sugar. xoxo
Hi Maya,
To me, when something is written well, I get a very vivid picture in my mind of the setting or what was happening. As I read your writing on the music, a very clear picture formed in my mind. And then, there was a video, which showed exactly what you had written about. Keep up sharing your wonderful writing with us. And, in case you didn’t do it this time, next time take a video of you all playing the instruments. I don’t think it was as terrible as you imagine!! Also, I have just started reading “Never Fall Down”. Love, Grandma
Great blog Maya! Does this make you want to become a traveling musician??? I would stick to violin because it might be hard to bring your piano!!! As I read your blog it makes me so interested in all of your adventures but most of all IT MAKES ME MISS YOU and your sisters like crazy!!! Keep writing so I can feel like I am with you-
Lots of love from Aunty Francine
Hi Maya,
I thoroughly enjoyed your musical blog. The pictures with the blog support your account so well. I noticed each of you four girls have a musical instrument, but Dad doesn’t have one. Perhaps someone had to sing to complete the experience.
Your bus trip with Arn and other musicians sounded exciting and fun. When you return, you will have to sing Cambodian songs for me. Since they are fresh right now, recording one or two would be ideal. Maybe I can play them in my Zumba class.
The number of books you have read is impressive. You have convinced me to add Never Fall Down to my list of books to read.
Papa