Lilongwe-based youthful musician Piston Mtonga will leave the country on August 14 for Norway on a nine month music exchange programme which is spearheaded by Music Crossroads Malawi and its other partners.
Mtonga earned the exchange programme having been successful during interviews.
Last year’s beneficiary is former Lusubilo Band singer Rebecca Mwalwenje, who is back in the country after the expiry of the nine months. She came back on July 3.
Piston said yesterday that he was excited to have been selected to participate in the exchange programme and that he was looking forward to the best.
“I am happy to be going on this music exchange programme. I never saw this coming but what happened is that I applied and was invited for an interview and was successful,” he said.
Music Crossroads Malawi Director, Mathews Mfune, said the exchange programme has been successful so far and that the previous beneficiaries have done well.
“This is a musicians and organisers volunteer exchange (Move) programme where young artists are trained and equipped in different areas. We actually do advertise calling for applications and this year Piston Mtonga was successful and we hope he will also do well because so far all the representatives have behaved and done well,” he said.
Born on June 23, 1992, Piston started music in church at the age of nine performing in a children’s choir.
“Music has ultimate power of shaping the future and mindset of the people. It has actually helped me to grow, to learn how people behave and it has taught me how to interact with people. In short music has mentored me,” said the youthful artist.
He said whilst he is going there to learn more which he intends to share when he comes back home after nine months, Piston said he will also share stories from Malawi.
“I have actually already interacted with those who went before me just to be orientated on some of the things. Actually I am better off because I like listening to all kinds of music although my central focus is classical gospel,” said Piston.
He also revealed that he intends to release his debut album before he leaves for Norway.
The former student at Music Crossroads Academy plays a violin and piano and he is also a lead vocalist.
Other artists who have been part of this international exchange programme include Jaco Jana and Chisomo Ngondo.
Jana using the skills learnt during the exchange ended up releasing his own album I Will Shine.
Apart from Norway, other artists are sent to Mozambique.
Music Crossroads Malawi is driving this exchange programme in conjunction with Musikk og Ungdom in Norway, Music Crossroads Mozambique and Projecto Guri (Brazil).
Mfune said the youth exchange programme is supported by Fredskorpset (FK) in Norway.
Meanwhile Mwalwenje has hailed Music Crossroads Malawi and its partners for the programme saying it has helped her advance her skills but also at the same time open up doors.
“This exchange programme is good and I recommend that artists especially those within the age range take advantage. It surely gives room for growth and creativity because it’s all about learning and exploring new things,” said the vocalist and guitarist.
She said through the programme she has been able to network as well as learn from artists from other countries.
“It’s very important to attend such programmes as an artist because we need to explore ideas musically and be able to work with different people as we introduce ourselves in new projects,” she said.
With technology taking its space, Mwalwenje said there was need to learn new things to be on the same page.
The singer said she is currently working on an album and has since worked on a single titled Wisubile.
Leave a Reply