Children's choir set to perform Sunday
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on March 20, 2015 1:46 PM
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The African Children's Choir, which has performed around the globe for such illustrious audiences as the Queen of England and Nelson Mandela, will present a free concert in Goldsboro on Sunday night at The Lord's Table Church.
The African Children's Choir is returning to Goldsboro for a concert Sunday night at The Lord's Table Church on Parkway Drive.
The world-renowned group of children, ages 7-10, will perform familiar children's songs, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes.
The first orphans were discovered in 1984, in the midst of Uganda's civil war, when a human rights activist traveled to the country to help thousands of displaced and starving children. From that have come touring groups who continue to travel the globe raising awareness and funds for literacy schools and education of youth in their homeland.
Over the past 20 years, the choir has appeared in thousands of concerts all over the world, at such places as the Pentagon and the United Nations. They have performed for royalty -- including audiences with the Queen of England, Nelson Mandela and as backup for the rock group Queen.
This will be the second time the African Children's Choir will be in Wayne County. They previously presented a concert at The Lord's Table in 2013.
"I actually visited (their country) in 2013, went to the school, saw it myself," said Mitch Ham, worship pastor at the church.
Ham also had the opportunity to record music with the choir, as part of a project he is currently spearheading, "One Voice." The effort has taken him to eight countries so far, with more trips expected in the future before releasing the completed work.
Eighteen children make up the choir, accompanied by chaperones, he said.
"They travel by bus and they stay in people's homes. They'll be going to school for three days while they're here and meals will be provided," he said. "They actually raise money for kids back home, so they can go to school, too."
Ham advised arriving early for the service to get a good seat.
"Last (time) there were so many people here and it was July Fourth weekend," he said. "We actually are building an overflow room, with a 36-by-10-foot screen in the student sanctuary."
The concert starts at 7 p.m. Doors will open after 6.
There is no charge for admission but a love offering will be taken to help with the youths' education and travel.