ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, December 13, 1996 TAG: 9612130030
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
The African Children's Choir's lyrics are direct opposites of their lives. In their East African homes, many of the choir's members have lost parents, siblings and other loved ones to tyranny, war, famine and AIDS.
Yet, the group tours internationally vocalizing about love, peace and joy.
The choir's coordinators hope that the concerts, such as the ones the choir will give Sunday at Vinton Baptist Church in Vinton, and Valley Word Ministries in Roanoke, will generate sponsorships for other destitute children in Africa and Europe, providing them with food, clothing, shelter and education - thereby helping to bring lyrics and lives more into sync.
"We have [aid] operations in Uganda, Kenya ... we're currently working with a group of about 800 children in Rwanda," said Molly Jones, a spokesman for Friends in the West.
Friends in the West, a registered, interdenominational nonprofit corporation founded in 1984, is the choir's sponsoring organization. Its U.S. headquarters is based in Washington state. The group cares for more than 5,000 needy children in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Sudan, giving them a Christian-based education up to university or vocational school level.
Proceeds from the choir's performances also benefit children in Chernobyl, Romania, Palestine, Albania and Bosnia. Friends in the West literature says that approximately 80 percent of all funds received are channeled into child-relief.
That percentage is partly achieved by keeping overhead and tour costs as low as possible. For example, when the choir of 25 5- to 12-year-olds arrives in town Saturday, its members and their 10 adult chaperones will stay overnight with Vinton Baptist Church members. Chris Monroe, Vinton Baptist's minister of music for the past three years, said he thinks that everyone involved will benefit from the interaction.
On Sunday, the 40 members of Monroe's fourth- and fifth-grade Young Musicians choir will get preferred seating to ensure they can see up close the African troupe's polished performance.
"We look for a special kind of child," Jones said of the annual selection from among thousands of potential candidates for the African Children's Choir. "They have to be able to withstand the rigors of touring for 12 to 15 months on a bus. They have to be able to sing, to learn quickly and adapt to new situations. They have to be very disciplined, which isn't that easy among ones so young. We're looking for quality of voice and also spirit," Jones said.
"I wanted to do something different for the Advent Season," Monroe said of booking the choir. "I'd seen the African Children's Choir before and been very impressed. I've been waiting two years for them to come."
The troupe, which in 1993 was nominated for a Grammy award for best gospel choir, combines gospel, popular American and traditional African music into a diverse, well-choreographed show. Some African drumming and dancing also are performed. The choir's past performances have included prestigious television shows and awards ceremonies, famous tourist attractions and music festivals.
"The joy they express through their music is amazing," said Monroe. "They have the unique ability to make you smile; their warmth is incredible, spiritually.
"I hope they will inspire the folks at church to see the importance of this ministry and inspire the children to become even more active," Monroe said. About midconcert, there will be some free-will offerings, sponsorship bids and testimonials. Children's Choir cassettes, CDs and books will be offered for sale after the performance. But mostly, Monroe and Jones say, the presentation will be music of love, peace, joy and hope.
Concerts will be presented at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at Vinton Baptist Church, Washington Avenue at Poplar Street in Vinton. The concert at Valley Word Ministries, 1928 Loch Haven Drive, Roanoke, will be at 6 Sunday night. Admission tickets are not needed. Call, respectively, 343-7685 or 562-1500.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB