Arnest Memorial Music School

On any typical weekday and just like any typical music school one may hear the sounds of guitars, violins and other musical instruments at Arnest Memorial Music School. Students of various age groups and ethnicity start coming for their hourly training sessions at 7 AM. The busy day for Mr. Pyntngenlang Nongbri, the founder, and the other teachers dies down at about 9 PM. It was (Late) Mr. Arnest Kharpran, the father of Mr. Pyntngenlang Nongbri, who encouraged him to start a music school. Previously, the music school was to be called Hosanna Music School. Later it was decided to name the school in memory of Mr. Arnest Kharpran after his passing away in 2001.

Arnest Memorial Music School was started on 7th March, 2002 at Sohryngkham. From Sohryngkham the music school was shifted to Shillong in the same year. Then in 2003 a branch was started in Jowai. In 2019 another branches was started in Ri Bhoi Umsning. As for now the school has four centers all together. The music school started with 30 students at the beginning. As on January, 2018 the number of students is of about 350 with 13 teachers and 2 non-teaching staffs. So far a total of about 4000 students have enrolled to its various courses since its beginning with an average of about 260 students per year.

The music school gives instructions on various instruments. The instruments include guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums and violin. They also do vocal training. The grades offered are from initial to Grade VIII. Exams are held regularly twice in a year after completion of each Grade level instruction. Parents of the students and well-wishers are invited to enjoy good music at Moments of Reflection. This is an event where student get to showcase their talents. The school hopes to organize this event more regularly every year. The most recent Moments of Reflection was held in 2018 at Shillong.

There are many talented young people in the North East who play instruments by ‘ear’, i.e., they simply hear a piece of music and then they try to copy it on their instruments. This is a good technique for many but it has its limitations for the aspiring musician. One may, therefore, find many highly talented young musicians who cannot read music staff notation. This is a disadvantage to their talents and careers. Because of this Mr. Pyntngenlang Nongbri’s vision for his school is to develop the God given inherent talents of his students with proper and timely instruction. Perhaps, this is what sets this music school aside from others. Students at the schools are not only allowed to nurture their talents but are also encouraged to become proficient in the other technical aspects of playing music.

Mr. Pyntngenlang Nongbri had undergone training in various instruments since he was 12 years of age. He is very passionate about music. From 2004 onwards, he has led Shekinah Mountain Worshiper, a praise and worship team, as its director. It is also his vision that members of praise and worship teams/bands everywhere will not only develop their own individual talents but also learn to complement the other members of their team/band.

On the 28th March, 2018 the school has inaugurated another department, the Shekinah School of Worship This department is related to teaching and training the students about worship based on the word of God. Under the leadership of Mr P Nongbri and his wife Mrs I G Marbaniang along with other prominent Bible teacher, the school is conducted every year with a sixth month course designed to equip worship leaders, musicians, song writers and worshippers.