mwafrika.com - African Children's Choir In Concert

African Children's Choir In Concert

14th April 2007 @ Nairobi Baptist Church

Brilliant, remarkable, amazing…there is simply no single adjective that aptly describes the sterling performance displayed by the African Children’s Choir (ACC) at the concert held this past weekend at the Nairobi Baptist Church. It was the first-class show it was billed to be, and more.

A few minutes after two in the afternoon, the curtain rose on this special affair, with MCs Jessy and Waithera cheering up the crowd with well delivered punch lines and jokes, keeping everyone in stitches. By the time Esther Wahome took the microphone, a lively mood had permeated the crowd, enhanced by her performance of the famous Kuna Dawa. The Sunflower Kids Club were next, taking the crowd into a mega-ride of exciting dances, challenging acrobatics and moving songs, capping it with a freshly passionate rendition of He Knows My Name. Zaidi ya Mziki prepared the way for the kids choir beautifully, leading the crowd into worship with their track ‘Ni Wewe’, a testimony of God’s faithfulness, before the much loved ‘Fundi Wa Mbao’ triggered a dancing session.

Esther Wahome Curtain Raises

The Sunflower Kids Club entertain

Zaidi ya Mziki doing what they do best

The moment the drama subsided, the MC’s returned to welcome the day’s main event – the African Children’s Choir. Suddenly a shrill voice of a child singing pierced the pregnant silence. Singing in Buganda, the music acts as a precursor to a voice that telling the story of Ray Bennett – the founder of the African Children’s Choir.

This reverie was broken by African drums and war chants familiar to lovers of indigenous traditional percussions. Barefoot, clad in orange and brown batik, complete with traditional skin headgear, and with fire in their eyes, there was no mistaking the young warriors of Africa when they romped onto the stage. Drawing screams from the enthralled audience, and led by their skilled drummers, they gave credit to the continent with a passionate traditional dance that had everyone amazed.

The MCs, Jessy and Waithera

The 'Warriors' do the war dance

The Choir's drummers show how its done

Their five tracks were each moving masterpieces, their stage presence buoyed by the fiery display of orange, yellow and black that bedecked the main performance area, swathing strips of curtain flowing from the roof to the stage floor. Songs like Abataka, Kwetu and familiar pieces such as Whole World and Teach Me To Dance showed their vocal prowess. Acting was infused into the performance with It Takes A Whole Village, an exhortation of how important each person’s effort is in raising and teaching every child. As they took their bow to end this session, not only was the audience in tears, but also on their feet giving a standing ovation.

The second half of the programme was opened up by Rufftone, whose passion for children has made him a darling among most families. This was evident as he soon had everyone on their feet singing along to Shinyanga Shiwere and Jesus Is My Hero.

'It takes a whole village'

Best foot forward

Iggy Iggy on the mic

An interview with one of the children, Galani Ndolo followed, and from the moment he opened his mouth to speak, he stole the hearts of his listeners. Speaking simply but clearly, 8 year old Ndolo talked of how the ACC had enabled him to go to school, travel the world, and set him on the path to his dream-becoming Kenya’s president!

When the choir came back spotting the familiar purple and gold robes, they opened their performance with I Belong To You. Proceeding to give a beautifully arranged version of He Knows My Name they reminded all that God knows every child. A joyful dance followed as they led the audience in singing Lord I Lift Your Name. When the children got into Because You Loved Me, they sang in thanksgiving to all who had loved them enough to afford them a chance in life. The powerful words I’m everything I am, because you loved me captured the essence of the message they were sending to the world. Filled with life and bubbling over with the light of God in their lives, there was no doubting this 27th edition of the African Children’s Choir when they sang their last two pieces He’s My Light and This Little Light of Mine.

Galani Ndolo shares his dream

It's all for You Lord

This little light of mine

Now in different colleges all over the world, some working as doctors, lawyers, teachers and different professions, former members of the choir joined the children on stage for one final shout.

Truly, this was easily one of the best concerts this city has seen in recent times. The tremendous effect the Choir has had in these children’s lives, the hope it has given them and the transformation in their lives is a testimony of the amazing work that the ACC has done for 26 years, and must be enabled to continue to do.