Local choir Boonslick Chordbusters performed with the African Children’s Choir Wednesday night in a benefit concert at First Baptist Church off of East Broadway.
Proceeds from the benefit concert went directly to the African Children’s Choir. It was a full house at the church. The Missouri Symphony Society Children’s Chorus kicked off the concert with such songs as “I Dream a World,” “Inscription of Hope,” and “Lean On Me (With We Shall Overcome).” Self-Contained Barbershop Apparatus performed as the second act, followed by the Boonslick Chordbusters. An intermission followed. Then, the Boone County Hams performed prior to the African Children’s Choir.
Dave Carlisle, music director for the Boonslick Chordbusters, reflected very positively on Wednesday night’s concert.
“Just spectacular,” Carlisle said. “The African Children’s Choir was singing in a lot of different languages that folks here don’t know. But, you didn’t have to understand the words to understand what the song was about and what was being communicated and the energy level in the room was just off the charts.”
Carlisle said the audience was enraptured by what the kids were doing. He wants to thank the Missouri Symphony Society Children’s Chorus and its director Melissa Straw. Carlisle also wants to thank Boonslick Chordbuster Chuck Bay and the audience for coming.
“Music is the thing that glues everything else in my life together,” Carlisle said. “I’m a software engineer. I’m a husband and a soccer player, and I do all sorts of different things. But, music allows you to be uplifted, to create art, to create emotion and give and make people experience things. I can’t envision my life without music being a part of it.”
Lisa Woolridge, assistant music director for the Boonslick Chordbusters, said music and volunteering is a perfect combination.
“Music is the international language. It touches everybody’s heart. And, once you start a song and the hearts start opening up, then, the giving starts happening. And, then, the rest is easy.”
Woolridge said performing with the African Children’s Choir was amazing. She commented how the kids were great and how they did things a little different than they thought.
The African Children’s Choir is scheduled to tour for ten more months this year. Over the years, they’ve had the privilege to perform for such artists as Paul McCartney and Annie Lennox. The touring choir will also be making an appearance in the upcoming Warner Brothers feature, “Pan,” starring Hugh Jackman, coming out this summer.
The African Children’s Choir has been going since 1984. Over 1,000 children have come and go through the program. The children originate from such countries as Uganda, Kenya, South Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria.
Ray Barnett, African Children’s Choir founder, wrote in the program their vision is to show the world the captivating spirit of African children – that they have beauty, dignity, and unlimited potential.
