Mongolian Taiko
Today we held a taiko workshop for students at the Music and Dance College of Mongolia. Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten has generously donated a set of taiko to the college where they will start a taiko class this summer. Kaoru gave the students an overview of the taiko, Tetsuro showed them how to properly care for the instruments and I taught them Renshuu Taiko. All the students were percussion majors so they caught on very quickly. We left them the set of beautiful new Miyamoto Taiko which I’m sure they will put to great use.
After the we workshop we had a rehearsal then went to Teserendorj’s home for a fantastic dinner! Teserendorj’s home was amazing, all the rooms were decorated in the style of a traditional Mongolian ger and there were instruments everywhere. The hospitality we received was overwhelming. We were served a multi course meal topped by a private concert from Teserendorj and his son Soyol. It was a great night of food and friendship.
Tomorrow we are finally getting a chance to get out to the city. While I’ve enjoyed my time in Ulaanbaatar immensely I don’t think I’d be hurting anyone’s feelings when I say that the city is not going to win beauty contest anytime soon. Combine that with the fact that all hotels and stages pretty look the same no matter where you are in the world and I’m really looking forward to getting out into the fabled Mongolian countryside.