Mansch On Montana: Choir coming to town with songs for the soul
Scott Mansch
When the African Children’s Choir performs, says Paul Hansen of Great Falls, it’s not all about the songs.
It’s about the soul.
“You know, you might be having a pretty rough day,” says Paul, the executive pastor at Harvest Springs Church. “But after you see these, kids you’re probably going to walk away feeling good.”
Then he laughs.
“You might even walk away thinking things are OK in the world,” Paul says. “At least for the moment.”
THE CHOIR has been to Great Falls in the past. And in the coming weeks it's coming back for a pair of performances, one at the First United Methodist Church on Nov. 5, and the other at the C.M. Russell High auditorium on Nov. 9. The latter is sponsored by Harvest Springs Church.
“They’re such a high-energy group and filled with such youthful exuberance,” says Paul. “When you seen their genuine enthusiasm, excitement and joy, it’s definitely uplifting. They have a lot of fun on stage, and that gets you going as well.”
Tina Sipp is the choir manager and oversees the tours. She lives in Spokane, far away from where the African youths call home.
“These kids, they don’t have as much, and they’re not coming from real educational backgrounds,” Tina says. “A lot of them are really pioneers for their families, and that’s remarkable.”
The choir that will be coming to Great Falls numbers 17 youths, aged 8-10. The churches sponsor their visits and help with housing.
And the concerts are free. Good-will offerings help the African Children’s Choir, which is affiliated with parent organization Music For Life, provide relief funds for African countries Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Afrcia.
Tina has a masters degree in exercise physiology. Her work with the African Children’s Choir has taught her more than any advanced education.
“To do something that’s beyond yourself and lasts beyond you is very, very rewarding,” Tina says of the choir’s purpose.
She pauses for a moment.
“I’m not musically inclined,” she says with a soft laugh. “The word ‘profound’ can’t apply to other parts of my life. But to be involved with this - this is profound.”
Another laugh, louder this time.
“When I hear them I feel like a crazy fan on the sideline, jumping and screaming and applauding their efforts,” Tina says.
MUSIC FOR LIFE was founded in 1984. According to the organization, MFL runs six centers in Africa and South Africa and works with 50 children at each. Many have been orphaned or have parents unable to care for them.
After approximately six months of training, which includes training in English, the youths are ready to tour.
“It’s not easy for these kids,” Tina says. “It could be easy to give up. They don’t have to stay in school, or try so incredibly hard to make themselves successful.”
That’s exactly what so many of them do.
“I do believe it takes a whole village of us to create an atmosphere for these kids that they otherwise wouldn’t have,” Tina says. “But the children deserve the credit. They’re the ones who fight for the education, who get up and go to school every day.”
She has worked for the organization for 15 years.
“I saw a picture of five kids the other day, who I met when they were seven years old,” Tina says. “Now they’re college graduates.”
She says she wept at the sight.
WHAT WILL FOLKS see at the Great Falls concerts?
“The program that’s being prepared is brand new,” Tina says. “It’s traditional hymns put to African rhythms, good old familiar hymns but with very unique twist.”
She says the children will be dancing in a variety of costumes.
“You’ll see a lot of energy,” she says. “And a lot of smiles.”
She says the choir performances are sure to raise the spirits of all in attendance.
“What most people get, I think, is the spirit of the children,” Tina says. “They exude so much hope and resiliency.
“I think their performances touch the soul, because there’s so much hope and joy involved. There’s something in us that longs for those things, I think, and these children are so innocent, so naïve, and such non-agenda messengers … It’s just incredibly effective.”
PAUL HANSEN says his church does not profit in the least from sponsoring the choir’s appearance in Great Falls.
“We believe in the effectiveness of what their organization is doing to help the vulnerable people in Africa,” Paul says. “We’ve rented the CMR auditorium on our own dime to allow as many people as possible to see what we think is a real uplifting event. We’re proud to help bring a great, family-friendly, fun event to Great Falls.”
Paul has seen the African Children’s Choir perform. He says the group sings Gospel hymns, Christian-based music.
“Whether a person is of faith or not,” he says, “they will enjoy this concert. I understand they’ve developed some new multi-media stuff that will be showing in the background, so the digital dynamic will be a lot of fun, too.”
When a man tells Paul the event sounds like it might provide much inspiration, the pastor doesn’t hesitate.
“You should totally come,” Paul says. “Because it’s a blast.”
Mansch On Montana appears frequently in the Great Falls Tribune. Scott Mansch can be reached at 791-1481 or smansch@greatfallstribune.com