The African Children’s Choir will be performing this Sunday at Rockcliffe Pentecostal Church in Owen Sound.
The choir is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a performance that includes familiar hymns and songs, combined with African dancing and drumming.
Choir Manager Tina Sipp says that the 80-minute performance is a bright, colourful performance that is part of a Christian organization called Music for Life.
“It’s kind of a collision of both worlds, and it’s very engaging,” she said in an interview with Bayshore News. “I think that people are quite drawn to the spirit of the children that comes out on the stage, and they’re so full of joy and hope.”
The choir is currently composed of 18 children from Uganda, aged 9-11.
She says that the children are chosen not by talent, but by need — in the areas where they live, the cost to go to a government-funded school still has costs associated can still have an impact on families.
Each child in the choir has experienced hardship in their young lives, and to be able to come together and celebrate through faith and song is important.
“Even on the road, they have times where they are as a family, learning God’s word and learning Christian character, and the love of Jesus,” Sipp said. “Our hope is that not only will they become educated mentally, but emotionally.”
The Choir invites communities to experience their tour performances and be part of their mission to bring hope through music.
No tickets are required, though donations are appreciated to continue the choir’s work. The program, titled “Just As I Am”, will be at 10:30 am on Sunday, May 11th.
For more information, or to get involved, visit africanchildrenschoir.com.
