Hilton Head appearance of African Children's Choir set to inspire

When the African Children's Choir takes the stage Sept. 23 at Hilton Head's First Presbyterian Church, concert goers may very well be awestruck.

"Lots of energy. Lots of smiles," is how choir manager Tina Sipp describes the performance.

The awe-inspiring Choir No. 44, as it is called, will make a one-night stop in the Lowcountry Wednesday before it moves on to Charleston for a Sept. 25 appearance. It's all part of the group's multi-city American tour.

Started in 1984, the choir is actually a nonprofit organization headed by parent company Music for Life. The organization works to help destitute children, often from war-torn countries or staggering poverty, receive an education and a way out of the direst of situations.

Every seven months or so, the organization debuts a new choir comprised of school age children from countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. In fact, at any given time, there may be two choirs touring. Right now, Choir No. 43, for example, is touring Canada.

"This is such profound work because we are dramatically changing their lives where they are going from no hope to being able to finance their education all the way through primary school and beyond that," Sipp says.

Not all of the children helped by the program sing in the choir but all receive an education from funds and other support raised by Music for Life, Sipp says. Many go on to post secondary education at a college or university or to trade school, but all look forward to returning to their communities.

"The more education they can receive the better chance they have of earning enough to provide reasonable housing and daily food for themselves."

Even more important, Sipp says, is the ripple effect educating just one child can have not only on a family but an entire village or community.

"Just one child in a family who is educated can really help," Sipp says. "And they want an education and recognize the value and privilege of education."

In the organization's 31-year history, Music for Life has educated more than 50,000 children, and have helped an additional 100,000 children through relief and education projects. Many who are educated through the program return to their villages as doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers or even as employees of the program itself, Sipp says.

"It has come full circle many times now," she says.

IF YOU GO

The African Children's Choir will perform at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church, 540 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island. The concert is free. Donations accepted.

FAMOUS FANS

The beloved African Children's Choir has many fans including a few who are often at the center of attention themselves.

The choir has performed for presidents, heads of state and most recently at Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.

They've sang alongside Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and other performers, and have a small role in the forthcoming film "Pan" starring Hugh Jackman.

Follow reporter Mindy Lucas at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.

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This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 1:33 PM with the headline "Hilton Head appearance of African Children's Choir set to inspire ."