The Nairobi Chamber Chorus has its flag soaring higher and higher after the American Choral Music Association (ACDA) invited the Kenyan choir group, to perform in the associations’ 60th jubilee conference in Kansas City.
It is the largest choral music event in America bringing in the very best from across the globe for the annual extravaganza.
“Congratulations to you and your singers on your exemplary achievement,” read an excerpt of their invitation letter from Sara Lynn Baird, the Performing Choir Chair.
Nairobi Chamber Chorus director, Ken Wakia, guided them on their way to becoming the first ever Kenyan group to perform on Broadway at the famed Lincoln Center back in 2018.
Along with London’s West End theatre, Broadway theatre is widely considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English-speaking world.
The Kenyan choir didn’t disappoint and went on to belt out such polished melodies and tamed voices, engulfing the hall packed with nearly 400 black tie executives drawn for the US, Germany and the rest of the World.
The 23 member choir has been going through the paces at Weal House, off Bishop road, as they wait to embark on their musical journey on Thursday.
Songs set to be performed during the festival include; Kingli arranged by Stacy Gibbs, Ii Nyumba ya Mwari Witu by Mike Brewer and Ken Wakia, Safari ya Bamba by Ken Wakia, Kokoliko arranged by Henry Wanjala, Epolo Wanamoramora by Joy Harper, Sigalagalaarranged by Sam Otieno and Musa by Ochieng’ Mak’Okeyo.
The performances will be staged at the Muriel Kauffmann Center for the performing arts, a theatre honoured as one of the world’s 15 most beautiful concert halls.