Napa Valley Opera House Presents The African Children's Choir 1/23

Comprised of some of the neediest and most vulnerable children in their countries, many of whom have lost one or both parents, the African Children's Choir helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Formed in 1994, the Choir has performed throughout the world, including the White House, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Madison Square Garden, and on television shows including The Jay Leno Show (in Dec 09), American Idol and Good Morning America.

Children elected to tour spend approximately five months at the Choir Training Academy in Kampala, Uganda. Here they learn the songs and dances, attend school, play and attend Sunday school at a local church.

It is at the Choir Training Academy where the real life changing work of the Choir can be seen. The children's personalities and talents merge like never before as they settle into their new routine with the knowledge that they are loved and cared for.

In 1984, in the midst of Uganda's bloody civil war, human rights activist Ray Barnett was called on to help the many thousands of orphaned and starving children, abandoned and helpless to feed and protect themselves.

Realizing the enormity of the task Ray and his team came up with a unique approach. The only way to make a meaningful difference was to impact the lives of these children, one child at a time.

"Inspired by the singing of one small boy, we formed the first African Children's Choir to show the world that Africa's most vulnerable children have beauty, dignity and unlimited ability."

The first Choir was formed in 1984, selected from orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kampala and Luwero areas of Uganda. After the Choir was trained to perform and readied for living in new and different cultures, the children traveled from Uganda to tour amongst the North American Church communities.

They immediately impressed audiences with their vibrancy and outstanding musical talent. They quickly became a mouthpiece for the plight of the many thousands of vulnerable children like them in Uganda. The funds they earned through donations provided for their own support and education and more!

The proceeds of the first African Children's Choir tour also funded the building of an orphanage back in Kampala from which a second African Children's Choir was selected.

And so the story of the Choir's work began. In the early years they would tour principally in United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The proceeds of their tours and the sponsorship support they would attract funded a growing program of establishing literacy schools to enable the very neediest children to get a foot up into proper education.

Meanwhile, the continuing care, education and development of returning Choir children was assured through the proceeds of Choir tours and the generosity of sponsors and donors.

To date over seven hundred vulnerable children have been through the Choir program and the funds they have generated have provided the opportunity of education and hope for many thousands like them in some of the most desperate and needy areas of Africa.

NAPA VALLEY OPERA HOUSE: The Napa Valley Opera House is located in the heart of downtown Napa. A national historic landmark originally constructed in 1879, NVOH celebrates its 130th anniversary in 2010. NVOH restored its intimate second-floor, 480-seat Margrit Biever Mondavi Theatre in 2002 after 30 years of planning. During the 2009 Season, patrons experience an eclectic array of performing arts including theatre, dance, comedy, jazz, blues, world music, and family programming in a world-class setting.

When: Saturday, January 23, 8pm
What: African Children's Choir
Where: Napa Valley Opera House; 1030 Main Street, downtown Napa
Price: $35 / $40
Tickets: 707.226.7372, NVOH.org, or in person at the box office

 

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