Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Singing for Africa

World-renowned African's Children Choir to visit Ketchum


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

The African Children’s Choir members perform traditional dances and songs from several African tribes. Photo by

Saving tribal song and cultural traditions are important issues for many African nations devastated by the loss of men and women from the AIDS epidemic. Traveling the world and making an appearance in the Wood River Valley, the African Children's Choir, comprised of children ages 7-11, will present a repertoire of 10 to 12 different tribal songs, which represent the heritage, culture and language of many African tribes.

Presented by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts, the choir will perform on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members and $10 for children under 12.

"This is a polished and professional choir, which is all African music," said Performing Arts Director Dan Mankin. "The energy of these children is incredible. They are all AIDS orphans. These kids don't have parents and the choir is connecting the generations."

Mankin said in the face of adversity, he found the children life affirming to be around. Each year, a new choir is selected and the children from the previous year's choir return to their homelands to attend school.

Their education is funded by the African Children's Choir, and some children continue on to study in university programs, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional leaders in Africa. Others receive vocational and technical training, developing the skills they need to lead productive lives. Many of the children, now young adults from previous choirs, are working with the African Children's Choir and other relief organizations throughout Africa.

"If people saw the Matsiko Choir, they are going to love the African Children's Choir," Mankin said. "This is a show and entertainment and asking for sponsorship is not part of their performance. You will, however, get wonderful information about the choir."

The choir will also visit Hailey Elementary School at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, for a free performance. Hailey Elementary will be joined by the fourth and fifth grade classes of Woodside, Bellevue, Hemingway and Carey elementary schools. All the students have been studying African tribal culture, music and dance, as well as learning about AIDS.

For 23 years, the African Children's Choir has worked with Africa's most vulnerable children, not only raising awareness of the plight of the orphaned and abandoned, but also showing the beauty, dignity and potential of the African child. The choir has performed for Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela and with Paul McCartney and Bobby McFerrin, as well as appeared at Live 8 in London and on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

For details and tickets, stop by The Center in Ketchum, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call 726-9491.




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