Nairobi Chamber Chorus to perform Oct. 12 at the Ford Center.
OXFORD, Miss. – The Nairobi Chamber Chorus will perform a free concert featuring traditional Kenyan folk songs Monday (Oct. 12) at the University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
No tickets are required for the 7:30 p.m. show.
Founded in October 2005 by director Ken Wakia, the Nairobi Chamber Chorus performs around the world. Wakia, who studied choral conducting at the University of Miami as a Fulbright scholar, also serves as the cultural and educational affairs specialist for the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
“They are the leading choral group in Kenya today and have performed with some of the world’s top musical ensembles,” said Kate Meacham, Ford Center marketing director. “We are happy to be able to assist in bringing this group to the Ford Center and offering it at no charge to the community.”
The group’s visit was arranged with help from the UM Office of Global Engagement.
Last year, the Festival Singers of Florida went to Kenya to perform with the choir. That led the Festival Singers of Florida to help coordinate a tour for the Nairobi Chamber Chorus across the Southeastern United States. In addition to performing in Mississippi, the choir is singing this month in Georgia, Florida and Alabama. This is the first time the choir has performed in the United States.
“They want to connect the various parts of the world through cross-cultural understanding together with a message of peace, which they deliver through quality choral singing,” said Don Trott, UM director of choral activities.
“I encourage anyone who has Monday evening open to come to the Ford Center to hear this choir who has traveled literally halfway around the world to deliver their message through choral singing.”