University of Wisconsin-Superior music education student Seth Gudmunsen, along with faculty members Michael Fuchs, director of choral activities, associate professor and Music Department chair; Brett Jones, professor of percussion; and David Potter, assistant professor/coordinator of music education; will be traveling to Uganda on June 17 as part of the Pamoja Project team. They will be joined by Shawn Gudmunsen, choral director for the St. Croix Falls School District and IAS at UW-River Falls.

“The idea surrounding the reason for the trip is to begin to develop a musical and cultural exchange between Wisconsin and Uganda,” said Shawn Gudmunsen. “The connection to Uganda stems from a 30-year friendship of the cultural ambassador and musician, Okello Kelo Sam. This friendship has led to many U.S. visits to local schools and universities teaching about the culture and music from Uganda. This trip is the first of its kind to Uganda, one that we hope to continue the exchange.

The goal for the team is to bring American pieces of music, such as spirituals, folk songs, pop music and more, to teach students and performers where they then infuse their own cultural music into the pieces, creating new music together. During this time, the team will also be traveling throughout the country studying the origins of Uganda styles of music and instruments and where they originated. The title of the project, Pamoja, is Swahili for community or together.

“Throughout our time there, we will be working with and collaborating with no fewer than seven distinct musical groups and traditions in five different communities,” said Fuchs. “We hope that this will be the first of several collaborations where we build community between our two regions.”

The second part of the project aims to provide students from UW-Superior, UW-River Falls and St. Croix Falls a unique cultural experience. Upon return from Uganda, the team hopes to arrange music from the experience to teach to students in Wisconsin. In October, students and performers will come from Uganda with culminating concerts showcasing the music, but more importantly, the cultural exchange.

“The team, along with the Ugandan team, will travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to present the project at the Wisconsin Music Educators Association (WMEA) State Conference,” said Shawn Gudmunsen. “They will also perform at UW-Superior, UW-River Falls and St. Croix Falls schools.

Part of the team will return July 2 with the remaining team members traveling home July 13.