JANUARY 15, 2009 ISSUE
African Children’s Choir at Farthing January 27
The African Children’s Choir—composed of orphaned and impoverished children from the countries of Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana, Sudan, Nigeria and Kenya—will perform at Farthing Auditorium on Tuesday, January 27.Feeling a little jaded or sorry for yourself? The joyful, uplifting sounds of the African Children’s Choir—coming to Farthing Auditorium on Tuesday, January 27—could be just the dose of youthful optimism you need. The choir’s Journey of Hope tour comes to ASU as part of the university’s 2008-09 Performing Arts Series, and the concert starts at 8:00 p.m.
Human rights activist Ray Barnett founded the African Children’s Choir in 1984 after helping with relief efforts in Uganda’s civil war. As a result of the bloodshed, many thousands of children were left orphaned and starving. Barnett and his team decided that the only way to make a meaningful difference was to impact the lives of the children one child at a time.
“Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children’s Choir—to show the world that Africa’s most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability,” Barnett is quoted as saying on the African Children’s Choir website.
After the first choir was trained to perform and briefed about different cultures, the children traveled to North America to perform in churches. They earned funds through donations to provide for their own support, education and the construction of an orphanage.
The African Children’s Choir formed additional choirs and expanded touring, raising the funds to establish literacy schools. To date, more than 700 children have participated in the choir program, and thousands more have benefited from the educational opportunities funded by the choir, according to the choir’s website.
The choir has performed for Kofi Annan at the United Nations, with Mariah Carey and Sir Paul McCartney at Live 8 in London, at Nelson Mandela’s AIDS awareness concert in South Africa and on TV programs Good Morning America, Ellen and American Idol.
A writer for The Scotsman, Scotland’s primary newspaper, said about the choir, “These are talented kids but not so overly drilled that they have lost their raw charm or sense of excitement... In fact, it’s difficult to say who is having more fun—the choir or the audience.”
Tickets cost $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and ASU staff and $10 for students. For more information, call 828-262-4046 or click to www.pas.appstate.edu.
Want To Go?
Date: Tuesday, January 27
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Farthing Auditorium, ASU
Cost: $18 adults/$16 seniors & ASU staff/$10 students
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