Jane Okwisa giving a try of the solo part for the Abagusi dance.

Jane is the youngest in the choir. She is eight years old and in class two.
When checking out for the best soloist for a song, it is wise to teach the whole team, then try out one by one those that have gotten the verses. It is also wise to allow the whole choir know the solo verses so that, in case the lead soloist is not around or has fallen ill, there will always be the second best who can lead the choir.
Giving every member of the team a chance to show their potential in leading, it builds confidence and the leader is able to identify interests in the team. There those choir members that like English songs and would really struggle to be the soloist in that particular song. Others are good at dancing and they usually prefer to be on the forefront when dancing opportunities come up. It is always my joy as the choir leader, to tap those talents that are still headen among the choir members.

Traditional dance

                                               Eeeeehhh kevegia Kura

As we continue to practice and enjoy the songs that we are singing in the choir. We incorporate traditional songs too. This is meant to help the little choir members respect and love their heritage. This traditional song that we are doing at the moment is an Abagusi song from the Nyanza region.

It is accompanied by drum beats that are very fast and all the dancers in this song are supposed to dance vigorously. This song takes four minutes and it is a mixture of so many occasssions done in the traditional setting

 

My name is Glen Washington, i have always enjoyed coming to the choir . There is no day that i come to sing and i don't enjoy myself. I have never missed a day to go for the sessions that is held at the Kibera Informentors Foundations offices in Karanja. The sessions go for two hours after our classes during the day.

Eunice Odero is our choir master, she is the best teacher that i have for music. She has been telling us that one day she will buy drums for us so that we can learn beating the African drums. I have always been anxious of that day that the drums would come. I waited patiently and here is my dream coming true. The drums are here and i am so happy. I will be among the few in the choir who will yearn to learn to play the drums. I am so happy and i pray that those other instruments that we wish to learn will one day be purchased so that they can help us in the accompaniment of the singing.

I thank the almighty for this wonderful possibility of i being able to explore my talent and wish to perform at a church  near you.

mark playing the drums

As this second term begins, we are blessed to have new drums. The choir is so excited to have to learn something new this term. Thank the almighty for the gifts that he has brought to the choir and am sure that these young choir will be the best  some day.