Nairobi Chamber Chorus performs in Berkshire

The 28 Choral members of The Nairobi Chamber Chorus were hosted for a special performance on Sunday 6th by The Kenya Society. Guests amongst other included the Mayor of Slough councillor Sukhjit Kaur Dhaliwal, Lis Woods - Chair of Kijani Trust, Sir Jeffrey James former British High Commissioner to Kenya 2001, Dr Sang, the Olympics Attaché and Abraham Mwaura, the Immigration Attaché from the Kenya High Commission.

It was through Kijani Trust, that the Nairobi Chamber Chorus was invited to perform for her Majesty the Queen during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

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The Nairobi Chamber Chorus
The Nairobi Chamber Chorus was founded in October 2005 by Ken Wakia. Its mission is to enable young Kenyans to participate in a high quality musical forum from which they can build their careers or expand their realm of knowledge and interest in the arts. Since its inception, over 60 young people have participated and many are now leading musicians in
Kenya, performing and teaching music across the country and beyond.

The chorus also offers a cultural exchange platform on which visiting musicians can interact with upcoming Kenyan musicians. Their vision is a strong, well-trained musical community which can use its music to promote peace and cross-cultural understanding through quality performance of choral music. The members volunteer their time and resources to meet and make music. They are drawn from the various universities and institutions around Nairobi.

Ken Wakia studied Choral Directing with Professor Jo-Michael Scheibe at the University of Miami in Florida, USA as a Fulbright scholar. He is a familiar figure on the Nairobi and international music scene as an educator, singer and conductor. having performed with the World Youth Choir in Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Belgium, Holland and Italy. He is currently Assistant Dean of Students and head of Music at Africa Nazarene University. He is also the Chairman of the Kenya Fulbright Alumni Association.

Kijani Kenya project.
Kijani Kenya is a charity that was set up to educate and raise funds to support conservation and HIV/Aids projects in Kenya using music as an integral part of its fundraising activities.
The money raised through the music festivals was used to open a Volunteer Counselling and Testing (VCT) centre on the hospital grounds in Nanyuki – the first of its kind in the area. This project became the start of Kijani’s HIV/AIDS programme, which has now evolved into a major project aiming to provide expert paediatric care and support for children living with HIV in Laikipia East District.

In partnership with Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, the Kijani Kenya has held 44 remote clinics and seen over 5,700 mothers and children.

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The Kenya Society
The Kenya Society aims to foster good relations between the peoples of the United Kingdom and Kenya. It provides a forum in the United Kingdom for anyone with an interest in Kenya, either after having lived or worked there or with a professional, academic or commercial interest in the country.

As well as social events during the course of the year, the Society regularly invites speakers to come and talk to members on a variety of subjects touching on Kenya, ranging from history and conservation to current affairs and emerging trends.

The Kenya Society started within the Kenyan and British diplomatic and expatriate circles in the United Kingdom. Today, the Society has a diverse membership and encourages participation by Kenyans residing in Britain, whether as students or in business, academia or the Arts.
http://www.kenyasociety.org