African Children’s Choir to perform in Idaho Falls
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IDAHO FALLS — The African Children’s Choir is touring the United States and is set to make a stop in Idaho Falls on Sunday, May 29.
“You see the children for about five to ten seconds, no more, and you’d give them the world,” choir manager Tina Sipp told EastIdahoNews.com. “You really would.”
The choir is made up of 18 children, ages seven to nine, and most members are from Uganda.
The group is multi-talented and performs a variety of music including African spirituals, drum pieces and tribal inspired dance numbers. They specialize in contemporary Christian music and are known for singing inspirational favorites like, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and “This Little Light of Mine.”
Sipp said this is the 45th group of singers since the choir was founded in 1984.
“To be honest, and I’m not just saying this, they are one of the best choirs I’ve ever personally seen in my 13 years with the organization,” Sipp said. “They have an eleven piece drum solo, synchronized drumming, eleven children… It’s just amazing.”
Performers are selected to participate in the African Children’s Choir through the Music For Life organization, a non-profit agency that helps fund children’s education.
“They’re impoverished to the level that they just will not receive an education,” Sipp said. “We’re trying to raise funds because of who they can become and that’s the beautiful part.”
Music For Life has funded over 52,000 children’s education since beginning over 32 years ago. Former choir members who have benefited from the group will be joining the current group on their tour this year.
Two performances will be held in Idaho Falls May 29. The first will be at Christ Community Church on 5742 South 5th West at 10:00 a.m. The second will be at Calvary Baptist Church on 785 1st Street at 7:00 p.m.
Sipp says the audience can look forward to smiles, joy and colorful costumes.
“It just moves us,” Sipp said. “And the audience can expect a little step into African culture.”
While the performances are free, donations are strongly encouraged.
“We’re unashamed and unapologetic about asking for support for these children,” Sipp said. “They deserve every one of our pennies and every one of our dollars because there is a great return on this investment.”