| Concert Review: The Boys Choir of Kenya |
| Wednesday, 05 November 2008 | |
 Founder/Exec Dir. Rashida N. Black with Boys Choir of Kenya Concert Review: 'The Boys Choir of Kenya' Dr. Fred Onovwersuoke ("FredO"), founder of the St. Louis African Chorus, introduced the Choir's diverse repertoire, which opened with "Egoko," a Kikuyu initiation chant. He explained that the Boys Choir of Kenya had joined the ranks of the most toured groups in the world - the October tour was their third US tour in 2008 alone! He attributed this success to the group's artistic philosophy, discipline and dedication. FredO ranked the ensemble amongst the Harlem Boys Choir of New York and the Vienna Boys Choirs of Austria, adding that the Boys Choir of Kenya is second to none in the realm of groups that can perform diverse repertoire with ease. It was through his connection with MHS as a classical composer that the Choir was able to journey to Chicago, a city they hadn't visited since 2004 and in which they were not scheduled to appear this year. The Boys Choir of Kenya, dressed in brownish traditional garbs, opened the program with solo flute and voices, tapping rhythms with rainsticks, later accompanied by a sole drummer. Throughout the evening, the Choir seamlessly shifted from chants to chorales to complexly composed pieces and back to roots music. Audience members danced in their seats, in the aisles and often among the performers, a sight which enchanted and invigorated the Choir! The second wardrobe change, into black slacks with white button down shirts and black cowboy hats, ushered in a new and western American feel. Choreographed dance routines elicited squeals of delight from female audience members, for whom some of the numbers were dedicated. Between songs, one of the performers interacted with the audience - giving translations and describing the context of the songs presented by the group. During a brief intermission for the Choir's third costume change, MHS founder and Executive Director, Rashida N. Black, entertained the crowd with dances led by African Chorus' Ablawa Reine and joined by Chicago-newcomer cellist Tahirah Whittington. To conclude the evening, the Choir decked themselves in brilliant Massai tribal reds, with shields and spears to match, and offered powerful traditional chants with audience interaction. Such was the visual feast and choral theatre only experienced at a concert by the unbeatable Boys Choir of Kenya. It was clearly a fulfilling acclamation for the diversity of black arts and culture. In her closing speech, Ms. Black spoke briefly about the need for support of positive black images and lamented the absence of the media to capture an event of such power and pristine artistry by young black men. She noted that the larger society ought to notice positive expressions in the community and put an effort to make the images more visible and accessible. The program also included a raffle of three pairs of Chicago Sinfonietta tickets, which the organization hoped would encourage participation in and support for the classical community of color. It was an extravaganza of epic proportions. [Video of the event can be found on YouTube.] Quinton McArthur is an arts aficionado who resides in Cambridge, MA.  No. 1 : Hey Madame director, the choir was inspirational and the event was first class, congratulations, Foster.  |
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