The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir to Perform at the Marin Center This Weekend

The dynamic singers and drummers of the Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir will make their Marin Center debut on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 3pm at the Marin Showcase Theater at Marin Center (10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael.) The magnificently arranged and harmonized songs of the Senegal Choir are taken from the folklore and tradition of Senegal and truly signify aspects of Senegalese life.. Tickets are $35, $30 and $25; Students (20 & under) $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Marin Center Box Office at 415.473.6800 or visit marincenter.org.

The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir was founded in 1950 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Ambassador Artist for Peace, Mr. Julien Jouga (1931-2001). Having an earnest pride for his country and its culture, Mr. Jouga, a true visionary in the development and preservation of the Senegalese Culture, was a fervent musician dedicated to the development of Catholic Choral singing utilizing the styles of Gregorian chant to polyphony inspired by the indigenous harmonic forms of Senegalese music.

Established more than forty-four years ago, the Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir is now led by Music Director, Mr. Ambroise N'Diong, and is composed of the Cathedral's chorale, that of St. Joseph's of Medina, who each Sunday, in the heart of Dakar's most working-class neighborhood, interprets Gospel/Negro Spirituals, traditional African Songs, and the magnificent masses that Julien Jouga composed in his country's four national languages: Ouolof, Diola, Sérère and Portuguese Creole.

The voices -- to which drums, guitar and kora are occasionally added -- rise in a local polyphony signifying aspects of everyday life in Senegal. An ecumenical partisan, Mr. Jouga interpreted and combined both the Catholic liturgy and the indigenous Muslim songs of Senegal to create an extraordinary harmony between the two cultures that comprise the nation of Senegal. The Senegal St. Joseph Gospel Choir therefore represents the humanity and the fraternity that exists within the Capital City, Dakar, and throughout the country of Senegal.

Marin Center Presents performances have delighted Bay Area audiences for over 26 years. The fall 2014 and spring 2015 seasons will once again spotlight world class entertainment from around the world. As the major performing arts, events center and fairgrounds in Marin County, the Marin Center serves the community by presenting and expanding a variety of multi-cultural theatre presentations, affordable rental venues and professional expertise. Bringing music, dance and performance of all kinds to audiences around the Bay, attendees also enjoy visiting the beautiful Marin Veteran's Auditorium designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright.