Marshall Allen Anthony showcases his love for playing and teaching guitar by sharing his musical background with a group of domestic helpers. This 65-year-old Singaporean is a guitar teacher for domestic helpers who are learning how to play a guitar.This soon developed into a group called D’Chords, which takes pride in bringing heartfelt joy to community homes.
What would you do on your weekends? Well, most of us would be spending the whole day just by sleeping, lazing around or hanging out with family or friends. However, the 65-year-old retiree, Mr Marshall Allen Anthony, does not want to spend his Sundays that way.
About Uncle Allen
Commonly known as “Uncle Allen”, he worked at Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) for 34 years as a Weapon Specialist. His job scope there consist of a lot of dangerous experiences that is not common for most of us such as handling a missile.
Even though he travelled a lot while being in the navy, music has always been with him. He met several people that shared the same interest in music along the way and played gigs once in a while during his free time. At that point of time, he was playing guitar just for the fun of it and to earn extra pocket money.
At the age of 55, he retired from RSN permanently and spent a year of doing nothing. This was when he realised that he couldn’t just sit at home. He felt the need to “give back to the society”.
This was then when he decided to take up a guitar coaching course in La Salle and that course made him a certified trained Guitar Coach.
With this certification, he managed to teach a lot of classes. He first taught students aged 55 years old and above from Jamiyah Nursing Home. He then moved on to teach at Cristofori and even have private classes during his weekdays.
On top of that, he even spends his Sundays by conducting a guitar class to a group of domestic helpers called D’Chords. The group consists of members that had no musical background.
The Beginning
With only three to four people, that was what started off a permanent group called D’Chords which was mainly located at Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, with Uncle Allen as their instructor.
Classes would usually occur on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month mainly because Uncle Allen knows that the girls have their own lives to attend to as well. Only if they have a big show coming up then it would be three times a month.
“I know one helper, her employer pays for her basic and advanced classes. Even her employer said that her helper’s mood was instantly lifted whenever she plays the guitar, and the best part is when she plays at home, she entertains and teaches the kids,” said Uncle Allen with a fond smile on his face.
Although they were beginners in guitar, they improved very quickly, from strumming to singing simultaneously. Harmonising is not an easy feat with instruments and vocals, but to be able to achieve that within three years, it became a proud achievement for them.
When asked about his unwavering dedication to teaching and volunteering, he quirked up a humble smile. “I’m retired,'' he said. “I’ve had a pretty good life and thought it’s time to give back.”
His Teaching Methods
In addition, Uncle Allen has adopted a unique way of carrying out his guitar lessons. Instead of simply sticking to the traditional method of “I teach, you listen”, he goes the extra mild to ensure that his lessons are engaging.
“It’s not the idea of knowing 1,000 songs,'' remarked the 65-year-old. “The idea is to learn 10, maybe 20, but play them very well and play them with your heart. Play the songs as you feel and you mean”.
The structure of his lessons also vary from the traditional lessons given in music schools. After teaching in Cristofori for seven years, he has come to the realization that the syllabus did not aid in the students’ understanding of the lessons.
Therefore, he has undertaken a different approach.
“You need to capture their (the students’) attention,'' he remarked. “From day one, I will teach them three chords, tuning and the ‘Happy Birthday’ song. It’s (guitar) is quite easy. But the start is hard.”
His creative lesson approach has aided the girls in their own guitar playing. Propelled by his own passion and love for music and teaching, he is an individual who goes the extra mile to ensure that he maxes out the potential of his students.
“He will still ask if you (we) want to stay and learn. Not just to stop there. He wants us to be the best,” said Lelybeth Carillo, 41.
Sunday Funday
A typical domestic helper’s work schedule is from Monday to Saturday, but on Sundays, they get together to jam and have fun. Even after a busy week, they would have meals together and come up with different plans and arrangements to keep the group active. “Music is stress-free, it’s our reliever,” chorused the girls.
Their common love for music is the factor that keeps them together, which showcases their unwavering bond. However, like any other human, there are disagreements amongst each other, but all of them make the effort to discuss things and work it out.
“But then you realize how happy it is to be in the group, going out together. Going to hospitals, sing songs, we cry, we laugh. While we’re singing, there are patients crying, lying there and crying while we’re singing, so our heart hurts as well,” said Lelybeth.
Despite the long distance away from home, being in D’Chords gave them reassurance and in turn encourages others to join them as well.
The Girls’ Heartfelt Gratitude
To the world, he may be a teacher who simply enjoys sharing his knowledge about music. However, to the girls, they view him in an entirely different light. Due to his passion and love for the guitar, the tireless hours they have spent with him over the past few years have led them to regard him as a family member.
When asked about their feelings towards Uncle Allen, the girls chorused their answer in unison. “He is a big factor in why the group was created. We owe him for volunteering work. We thank him for all the support and for everything he has done for us”.
“We respect him a lot,'' Lelybeth said with an adoring smile. “He treats us like his own children.”
However, their gratitude does not stop there. As much as Uncle Allen goes the extra mile for them when it comes to teaching, the girls reciprocate by going the extra mile for him.
“We always surprise him. We are thinking about it, but we are going to learn and practice ‘A Special Memory’, because he likes it so much. We will try to change some of the wordings. That’s the plan.”
Uncle Allen is an individual who showcases his love for music by giving back to the community and expecting nothing in return. Yet, his unconditional love is graciously reciprocated by those whom he brought joy to.
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