Zimbe!

– “Songs from African life” – Alexander L’Estrange

A composer can find inspiration in the unlikeliest of settings, and the genesis of Zimbe! is as extraordi-
nary as any. The seeds of my affinity with African music and the gospel tradition were sown in the
early nineties through a chance encounter on a train en route to London. Sitting opposite me was a
woman with a small book of manuscript paper on her lap. I asked politely whether she was a musician
and she replied that she was on her way to lead a music group at a prison. She was working on
“African and gospel” music, but, although she knew many excellent songs, she was really an artist, not
a musician, and was rather lacking in confidence when it came to leading a singing workshop. “I could
help,” I offered gamely, and it all took off from there.

We struck up a working relationship, and she introduced me to songs, tapes, books, and friends with a
plethora of songs to share. I immediately fell in love with the music. Together we ran singing groups, in
Oxford, London and beyond, and I quickly became immersed in arranging, teaching, sharing and per-
forming African songs.

I later produced a collection of choral arrangements for Faber Music entitled Songs of a Rainbow Na-
tion, and it was in response to performing these arrangements that Justin Doyle, conductor of the
Dorking Choral Society, approached me with a view to commissioning a more substantial piece based
on African and gospel themes. Justin happened to call the morning after The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective
Agency had been shown on TV; we had both watched it, and both had been moved by the use of mu-
sic in the production (filmed on location in Botswana). One particularly moving moment depicted a fu-
neral scene, involving a huge number of local “extras” breaking into an apparently spontaneous per-
formance of a traditional funeral song. It was decided that my piece would aim to reflect some of the
manifold ways in which music plays a part in everyday life in Africa – from the rising of the sun to its
setting, both literally and figuratively. I wanted to capture the essence of the African spirit through
glimpses into the human experience – simple children’s playground songs from Ghana and Zim-
babwe; a Xhosa lullaby for mothers of the victims of Apartheid; a raucous drinking song; sensuous
wedding songs; and some beautiful funeral and worship music – all imbued with the spirit, energy and
simplicity that is so typical of the African song tradition.

Zimbe is Swahili for “Sing them”: just as others have shared these wonderful songs with me, I wish to
pass them on now. Scored for SATB choir, unison children’s choir and jazz quintet, with copious per-
cussion, the settings reflect my own musical make-up: within the piece we find references to jazz, pop,
the Western choral tradition and, of course, “world music”. African songs are easy to learn and impos-
sible to forget; that is the very nature of the communal song tradition. The songs I have chosen to ar-
range are fun, moving and infectiously tuneful – and through them we find ourselves in a wonderfully
simple, joyous realm where music imitates life, and life inspires music.

Njooni! Zimbe! Nyimbo za Afrika (Come! Let us sing the songs of Africa)

Celebrating light by sculptor Wren Hughes - www.wrenhughes.co.uk

 Tuimbe kwa shangwe na furaha
Let us sing with rejoicing and happiness! - Justin Doyle
Fourteen years ago, I was lucky enough to spend a few months teaching at St Mary' s School, Nairobi –
a wonderful school in a city which immediately captivated me. I quickly learnt that in Kenya people ap-
preciated anything that they owned; they were grateful for any successes they had; and that they
seemed to have a deep-rooted sense of respect for each other. Oh, and they liked to sing!

I finally had an opportunity earlier this year to re-visit this wonderful country; I went out shortly after the
post-election violence which did so much to rock an apparently peaceful nation and I was fascinated to
listen to people talk about the issues involved – land ownership disputes, tribalism, corruption. These are
actually all issues that have been around for many, many years, and indeed so many aspects of Kenyan
life were exactly as I remember them; most of all friendship, which seems to reach across all sorts of
boundaries. Staying with my friend Noah Inyambukho Amatoya, his wife Edah and their wonderful family
in Mwole, a remote village deep in Bunyore, Western Province, I was made to feel more welcome than
anywhere else I can remember.

Noah, formerly a gardener and cook in Nairobi, is pastor of his church, the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Mass at the Catholic Church on Sunday morning lasted well beyond two hours, after which I went to
Noah' s service (over three glorious hours in the midday sun) Kenyan timing is a wonderful thing – offi-
cially the two services should have coincided but in fact the second service started over an hour later
than expected! The footage shown at the beginning of tonight' s concert (unashamedly unprofessional
handheld camcorder shots, but magically woven together by Joss Agnew) was the first I saw of Noah' s
church, arriving at the house of a man who was joining the church that day. This was an immensely
happy occasion, and the feeling that everyone genuinely wanted to welcome each other was unforgetta-
ble. The structure of the service was simple: every church elder would have the chance to stand in the
middle of the gathering and read a passage of scripture, preach about a subject of their choice, or to
start a song. So every few minutes someone would start singing, everyone would join in immediately and
a few would run for the nearest drum.

Life in Bunyore is incredibly simple. If the rains don't come, the crops fail and their animals die. However,
even rain is a double-edged sword - it washed away Noah' s previous house. He has now built a house
(we would call it a hut) which has plaster covering the mud walls, concrete instead of a cow dung floor
and a decent corrugated iron roof, so it shouldn' t be washed away again!

If you live without electricity, clean water or any of the other 'essentials'which we take for granted, you
have more need than ever of music. It is one of life' s great ironies that those who have least to be thank-
ful for are often the most upbeat and generous. Music is free; we all have it in us; in Noah' s village it is
something that everyone shares and enjoys. It is much more than a source of entertainment in Africa
(even less an ' art form'), as people sing while they work, they sing to
relax, they sing at any possible opportunity. The village choir sings
for over three hours every afternoon, ending their rehearsal only
when the sun goes down, learning everything by rote and never go-
ing flat! The international language of music enabled me to commu-
nicate all sorts of emotions with these wonderful people without the
need for more than a few words of the Kinyore dialect, and I felt very
lucky to sing with them all and learn their music.

What struck me about the village and its surrounding district was
that as it is not in a '
flashpoint'
, known by international charities to be
especially threatened by violence, famine or disease epidemic, it
has little or no support from outside organisations. The villagers
were thrilled to see the interest I took in their lives, and I hope that
tonight's concert will give you a small glimpse of this very special
community. I feel extremely privileged to be able to bring to Dorking
the music that Noah and his friends taught me; if it makes you smile
half as it does me, we will have achieved something wonderful.
 Order of Programme
Rhythm and Ritual
1. Entrance songs from Church of the Holy Spirit, Sinaga, Bunyore, Kenya (Kinyore)

2. Tuimbe kwa shangwe na furaha (Kiswahili)

Let us sing with rejoicing and happiness!

3. Utukufu juu kwa Mungu from Misa Kariobangi (Kiswahili)

Glory to God

4. Muungano Church Choir, Bunyore Chapter, Kenya (Kiswahili)

Thy will be done

5. Moyo Wangu (Rose Muhando, Tanzania / Rebecca Malope, South Africa arr. Doyle;
Kiswahili)
My heart, praise the Lord

6. Nyatiti
(Luo lyre)

7. Ukira mwana ii (arr. Doyle; Gikuyu)

Kikuyu Lullaby

8. Ngar (arr. Doyle; Gikuyu)

The Leopard

9. Malaika (arr. Doyle; Kiswahili)

Angel

10. Baba nipeshamba (David Zalo; Kiswahili)

Father, give me a farm

11. Isikuti (Luhya ceremonial dance)

12. Si njay njay njay (arr. L'Estrange; Zulu)

13. Hamba Lulu (arr. L'Estrange; Zulu wedding song)

Hush, Lulu

14. Jesu ukukhanya (arr. L'Estrange; Botswana)

Jesus, our light

INTERVAL of 20 Minutes

Please note that unauthorised photography, video and sound recordings are not permitted.
 Order of Programme
ZIMBE! – Songs from African life - Alexander L’Estrange
1. Njooni! Zimbe!
(Swahili text/original music)
“Come! Let us sing the songs of Africa!”

2. Singabahambayo thina
(Xhosa/Methodist sacred song)
“We are the ones going through this world, to our home in heaven”

3. Sansa kroma
(Akan playground song from Ghana)
To Sansa, the hawk

4. Pete, pete!
(Akan children’s song from Ghana)
“Vulture, vulture!” - celebrating food and family

5. Thula Mama, thula

(Xhosa lullaby for mothers of imprisoned sons)
“Hush, Mama”

6. Ilanga libuya, ilanga liyaphuma

(Xhosa text/original music)
The sun sets … The sun rises

7. Wai bamba!
(Shona wedding song from Zimbabwe)
“You’ve got him/her!”

8. Hamba Lulu
(Zulu wedding song)
“Go, Lulu!”

9. Vamudara/Njooni! Zimbe!
(Shona drinking song from Zimbabwe/Swahili text/original music)
… A drunken man dances himself to death

10. Aleluya/Thuma mina

(Traditional South African/Zulu funeral song)
“Send me, Lord; lead me, Lord …”

11. We shall not give up the fight

(Traditional South African)
“Together we’ll have victory, hand holding hand”

12. Siyahamba
(Zulu worship song from South Africa)
“We are marching in the light of God”

13. Freedom is coming/Hamba vangeli

(Traditional South African song/Zulu worship song)
“Spread the new word!”

14. Njooni! Zimbe!

(Swahili text/original music)
“Come! Let us sing the songs of Africa!”
 Justin Doyle
Conductor - Dorking Choral Society

Justin was born in Lancaster and began his musical career as a

chorister at Westminster Cathedral, continuing his studies at King’s
College, Cambridge as a choral scholar and ' cellist. Last year he
won second prize in the prestigious Cadaqués Orchestra Conduct-
ing Competition from over 180 conductors worldwide; he was also
awarded the first Conductor Fellowship with the BBC Singers, with
whom he has since given regular broadcasts and recorded a cover
CD for BBC Music Magazine.

Recent broadcasts have included BBC Radio 3, European Broad-

casting Union and Swedish Radio; other recent engagements in-
clude concerts with the Orchestra of Opera North, Northern Sinfo-
nia, Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, New London Orches-
tra, Manchester Camerata, Hatfield Philharmonic Orchestra, Ken-
sington Chamber Orchestra, Dorking Philharmonia, Brandenburg
Sinfonia, The London Chorus and English Touring Opera.

Justin is Artistic Director of Ryedale Festival and Musical Director

of Essex Symphony Orchestra, the King’s Camerata and Da Chi-
esa baroque orchestra; other recent posts have included Director of Swaledale Festival and Direc-
tor of Music at St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge. For Eastern Opera he has conducted productions
including Donizetti The Elixir of Love, Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel, Mozart Cosi fan tutte, The
Marriage of Figaro, The Rescue from the Seraglio, Purcell Dido and Aeneas and Strauss Die Fled-
ermaus.

This is Justin’s tenth season as Conductor of Dorking Choral Society.

‘Justin Doyle’s conducting was immensely vivid; he was always with the singers, and he really got
into every corner of this quirky, supremely theatrical music’ (Opera magazine, December 2007)

Gavin Roberts
Accompanist
Gavin Roberts began his musical education as a Chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford. He went on to
read Music at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he also held the organ scholarship. Follow-
ing this, Gavin gained a Master’s degree from King’s College London.
Since 2002, Gavin has held the position of Assistant Director of Music
at St Marylebone Parish Church where he accompanies and directs
the church’s professional choir. This work is also linked to the
neighbouring St Marylebone School for girls where he is Organist and
Choirmaster.

Gavin is in demand as a soloist, accompanist and teacher. He has

played for The Hanover Band, The Helios Ensemble, Chandos
Chamber Choir, Orpheus Britannicus, EXAUDI, The Joyful Company
of Singers, Londinium, The Orlando Chamber Choir, Riverside Op-
era, Eastern Opera, Barnet Choral Society and Dorking Choral Soci-
ety. He has appeared regularly on Radio broadcasts as a soloist and
accompanist, often giving premiere performances of new works. He
has performed on recordings for the BBC, ASV, Guild and Priory Re-
cords. Recital work has taken him to prestigious venues around the
UK and abroad. Gavin teaches at Junior Department of the Royal
Academy of Music, Cambridge University and at the Tiffin School for
Boys.
 Alexander L’Estrange
Composer

“If you had to create from scratch the perfect 21st century musician, Alexander L’Estrange would
be your template.”

This accolade (from composer and broadcaster Howard Goodall) acknowledges not only Alexan-
der’s outstanding musicianship – he graduated with a First in Music from Merton College, Oxford,
and was a chorister in the famous New College Choir – but also his huge versatility. A composer,
arranger, jazz double bass player and pianist, he has carved a successful career working in a va-
riety of musical fields and with respected musicians around the world. He has shared the stage
with jazz greats John Dankworth and Kenny Wheeler, toured the world with The Swingle Singers,
conducted thousands of children at the Royal Albert Hall for the Primary Proms and musically di-
rected the National Youth Music Theatre in shows on Broadway and in Edinburgh, Japan and
London. His TV and film credits include singing, playing on, and writing a number of soundtracks,
theme-tunes and “idents”: he is the voice on the BBC1 “helicopters” clip, and he also appears as
part of the church choir in a number of episodes of The Vicar of Dibley.

Alexander’s compositions are testament to this eclectic mix, with echoes not just of Finzi, Howells
and Messiaen from his Oxford choral background, but also jazz, pop, music theatre and world
music influences. Since the publication of his stunning debut choral anthem Lute Book Lullaby,
which he wrote for professional chamber choir Tenebrae, he has been inundated with commis-
sions from festivals, schools, a cappella groups,
choirs and choral societies alike, resulting in works
including My Song is Love Unknown, again commis-
sioned by Tenebrae, Let All the World in Every Corner
Sing, performed at St Paul’s Cathedral for the com-
memoration of Hampton School’s 450th anniversary,
On Eagles’ Wings, composed for the 2008 St Davids
Festival, and a new piece for Repton School in 2009.
Other recent publications include three choral Prayers
for Peace and Love’s Philosophy, lyrical settings of
three love songs by the great Romantic poets that are
now on the ABRSM singing syllabus. Besides choral
works, Alexander has written an award-winning jazz-
infused musical, in collaboration with novelist Michelle
Magorian, entitled Hello Life!, as well as hundreds of
arrangements of folk, pop, jazz, music theatre, African
and gospel songs, many of which (like tonight’s Songs
of a Rainbow Nation) are part of Faber Music’s popu-
lar Choral Basics series; this also includes a set of
choral jazz warm-ups called You Can Sing…But Can
You Swing?!, co-written with his wife (musician, and
inspiration for Love’s Philosophy), Joanna Forbes.

For more information on Alexander L’Estrange: www.forbes-lestrange.co.uk

 The CALL ME AL Jazz Quintet
The band is made up of friends and colleagues of the composer (who plays the double bass tonight),
brought together especially for the premiere of Zimbe! The quintet’s name is inspired by the Paul
Simon song from his African album Gracelands.

Simon Allen (alto saxophone):

Simon is a busy performer and jazz educator, currently working with Stan Tracey' s various groups,
alongside jazz stars such as Mornington Lockett, Alan Barnes and Mark Nightingale.

Luke Allwood (piano):

Luke is currently studying Music at King’s College, London, having played jazz piano since his early
teens; influences include Bill Evans (piano) and Michael Brecker (saxophone).

Mike Bradley (drums):

Drummer Mike Bradley has been in demand on the UK and international jazz and pop/funk scene for
over 25 years, featuring in several West End shows as well as on the albums of artists such as Nata-
lie Cole and The Swingle Singers.

Adam Riley (percussion):

Adam Riley has played for and performed with many artists from the Jazz and Latin fields and is cur-
rently the drummer for the West End hit musical "Zorro".

Jali Djembe, Mod' Lamine Cissokho

(director) drums / dance
Djembe fola (master) Mod' Lamine was born into the musical
Cissokho family in Casamance, southern Senegal. The Cissok-
hos are a family of Griots (ancestral musicians) and
Mod' Lamine has been playing since the age of 8. He has
toured extensively throughout Senegal, Guinea, Mali and The
Gambia, leading, training and soloing with a great many musi-
cians. He has played with Les Ballets Africains, Farita, Bouga-
rabou, African Ballet and many more.

Hannah Scott-Joynt
Presenter
Hannah is a television presenter, voice-over artist and continuity
announcer. Recent credits include By Royal Appointment
(ITV1), Cathedral Cities and A Taste of the South (ITV1 Merid-
ian), interviewing celebrities for The Heaven and Earth Show
(BBC1) and selling holidays on Thomson TV. She is the voice of
BBC World News, and lives in Dorking with her husband and
son.
 The Priory
CHANTS DE COEUR

Chants de Coeur (songs from the heart) is a women’s select choral ensemble formed two years
ago at The Priory School, at West Bank in Dorking. The girls sing all styles of music at community
and school events and participate in choral workshops and festivals. Please contact their conduc-
tor Brett Musser at the school if you would like them to perform for your organisation or support an
event.

The Priory School is a mixed 11-18 Church of England comprehensive school with 822 enthusias-
tic pupils who regularly join together
for worship, to engage in sport, sing,
raise money for charity, travel
abroad, and generally have fun while
gaining a quality education. We in-
vite you to come and visit us, and
don’t miss our new expressive arts
building.

Abigail Boychuk, Lucy Chenery,

Sarah Coe, Chloe Debnam, Lucy
Debney, Katrina Elmes, Chanelle
Fennell, Jessica Haskins, Sarah
Maloney, Kathryn Morton,
Katarzyna Maja Sliwinska, Yola
Thorp, Lana Tunnell, Felicity
Woodcock

St Joseph’s School
St.Joseph's Primary School is the only Catholic school in Dorking. Its large choir is drawn from
any child in Years 4 - 6 who wishes to join. They have participated in the annual Christmas
Chairman' s Charity Concert at the Dorking Halls for the past eight years, and were recently in-
volved with Chameleon Brass in premiering a newly commissioned work for brass quintet and
children'
s choir. In 2007 they were the winners in their class of the Leith Hill Open Choirs compe-
tition.

Children participating:
Harley McCarthy, William Conroy, Emily
Bletso, Mollie Chave, John Wilson, Joseph
Knowles, Laura Vale, Henry Elphick, Law-
rence Elphick, Charlotte Fuller, Jessica
Carella, Demi Christofi, Lauren Somerville,
Eleanor Sanctuary, Elliot Norman, James
Milner, Luisa Monella, Abigail Stanley,
Kaithlin Hourihane, Joey Cleary, Leo Ruff,
Abby Hubbard, Adara Haynes, Haydn
Young, Bradley Young, Hannah Lowe,
Jasmine Stones, Georgia Westwood,
Oliver Baker, Thomas Burnett, Niamh
Houston, Jennifer Heffernan, Elizabeth
Coyle, Freddie Webster, Declan McLough-
lin, Thomas Debney, Thomas Wymer,
Kiera Walton, Miranda Harding, Flora
Nash, Julia Jarusz, Jasmine Bressler.

Adults: Helen Townsley (music subject leader) and Gabrielle Norman (accompanist).
 St Martin’s School
The choir is run by Miss Chamberlain, who is the conductor and Mr Memela, who accompanies the
choir on the piano. The choir meets every Friday at 12h45. The choristers are mostly Key Stage 2
children, but we do have some very keen Y2 children as well. Our children are extremely dedicated
and they always sing their hearts out during performances. We have very supportive parents, staff
and PTA. We have sung in care homes, Dorking Halls (Chairman' s Christmas Concerts), Mole Val-
ley festivals, St Martin'
s Church and at The Priory School (with the North West Youth Orchestra).

Children:
Jade Slogrove, George Lowry, Bethany Crawford, Kezia King, Jude Mitchell, Emily Fidgett, Ceri
Lonnon, Ella Callaghan, Kim Underhill, Charles Lott, Rory King, Jake Hetherington, Victoria
Richardson, Lizzie Richardson, Emma Davies, Ashley Harper, Lilhan Ede, Jordyn Wild, Evie Shee-
han, Fleur Sheehan, Marcie Sheehan, Martha Gordon-McBurney, Ellie Wilson, Rohan Mayo, Wil-
liam Bradford, Vince Dillig.

Staff:
Prince Memela, Jane Dawson, Val Noble, Anne Brown, Sharon Harrison, Lin Hutchings, Mrs
Gorecka

Powell Corderoy
Powell Corderoy is proud to be the oldest school in Dorking, dating back to 1816 when it was
known as the Dorking British School. In 1898 the school was renamed after its benefactors Miss
Edith Corderoy and Mr T. E. Powell. Today the school is a thriving place of learning and enjoy-
ment, providing 210 places for boys and girls aged 4 -11 years.

Powell Corderoy School choir, which is open to all children, plays a key role in ensuring music has
a high profile in the life of the school. All the children in the school perform in the annual musical
production (2008 – “Wind in the Willows”) and the traditional Summer Festival. The school choir
performs regularly at local music festivals and has been invited to sing at special events at
churches and other venues in Dorking. Powell Corderoy School choir has performed with Dorking
Choral Society on previous occasions marking the Queen’s Golden Jubilee (2002) and Christmas
Celebrations. Recent highlights include performing at the Royal Albert Hall, carol singing at Den-
bies vineyard and taking the stage with Alvin Stardust at the Dorking Halls.

Elena Brammar, Naomi Cavanna,

Jessica Coppen-Gardner, Ariadne
Cragg, Allie Chrystal, Zoe Chrystal,
Chantal De Jager, Sophie Dickson,
Lucas Donnelly, Georgia England,
Alexandra Glancy, Katie Gravett,
Molly Hazeltine, Ruby Hazeltine,
Eleanor Le Breton, Rosie McCance,
Billie McCarthy, Maisie McCarthy,
Niamh McTigue, Olivia McTigue,
Honey Meakings, Scarlett Meak-
ings, Eden Morris, James Morris,
Trinity Nichols, Yanni Parbirom,
Elodie Pinn, Callum Puddicombe,
Yasmin Raache, Maisie Race,
Catherine Sandle, Sarita Shrestha,
Emily Taylor, Lilya Wightwick.

Headteacher: Mrs Janet Lightfoot

 Dorking Choral Society
Dorking Choral Society delights in tracing its history from 1922 when Dorking Madrigal Society
was formed to enter the Leith Hill Musical Festival, where we have a long association.

Our priority is to thoroughly enjoy our singing, notwithstanding a very busy programme and hectic
social life! With ‘concert’ membership of around 100 (plus stalwart Friends) a typical year in-
cludes a major November work, Christmas ‘Friends & Family’ concert, Leith Hill Musical Festival,
Summer concert / event, and overseas or UK tour. In recent years DCS has toured Brittany and
Normandy, Bruges, Brussels (including Menin Gate, Ypres), and the 6th International Choral Fes-
tival in Paris, together with UK tours and awaydays. 2008 also saw DCS taking part in the
Ryedale Festival (five concerts in one day!), and we look forward to accepting the invitation to
return in July 2009 for a further performance of Zimbe!

Our Conductors have included William Cole, William Llewellyn, Julian Armitage-Smith, Philip
White, Ivor Setterfield and Vaughan Williams himself taking rehearsals in 1940. We were de-
lighted to appoint Justin Doyle as Conductor in 1998, with tonight’s concert being part of our cele-
brating 10 successful years under his baton.

Acknowledgements
Dorking Choral Society would like to express sincere thanks to Joy Russell and her team of Sue
Smith, Roo Harmer, Lynne Patterson, Chris Read and Caroline Massey for all the work they have
done to ensure that we have amazing African costumes for this concert. Also to Gabrielle Norman
for her time spent with all the schools helping with the music, to the Clergy and staff of St Paul'
s
Church and St Joseph' s Church, and to Catherine Ray for her contribution in putting the programme
together.

Personal thanks from Justin Doyle

Alexander L' Estrange for undertaking this commission with such passion, Ken Overton and the
Board of Ryedale Festival. Kathryn Knight, Tim Brooke, Ruth Clegg and all at Faber Music. Joss
Agnew for his invaluable help with the film, Robin Heal for allowing us to project her stunning pho-
tography Noah and Edah Inyambukho Amatoya, Peter Opieni Inyambukho, Synaidah, Kennedy and
the whole wonderful family for their incredible kindness, and their neighbours, especially Laban and
all the isikuti musicians. Simon and Margaret Muturi Wanjama and my great friends Monica, Nun-
gari, John, Roselyn, Miriam and Angeline, and Mike, Marie, Phylis and George. William and Marga-
ret Obaga, Joshua Obaga, Semu Abwolikiyong, Rhoda Amuhaya and everyone else at St Mary' s
School, Nairobi, especially Sasha Ng' inja, Peter Ojwang, Linda and Sifa Kazibwe, Sara Ogwapit
and all my other Saints friends. Andrew Obaga and his family, and the students of Nairobi School
for teaching me a lullaby. Lameck and Connie Litieka and all the members of the Muungano Church
Choir Bunyore Chapter, especially Margaret for giving me her drum. Hellen Apota and Fr Tom
McGrath of Ebusirate Catholic Church, and the Church of the Holy Spirit, Sinaga. Boniface
Mganga, Kennedy Indiazi and the inspirational Muungano National Choir. Cathy Gachie and the
Nairobi Orchestra, the Nairobi Musical Society, and Bomas of Kenya. Dr Caleb Okumu, Wycliffe
Obiero and their collegues at Maseno University, Kisumu. Moses Ndungo and his fellow dancers in
Nyeri. Aunty Lilly, Peter and everyone at Kenya Children' s Home. Nicholas and Christine Moipei
and their four amazing daughters Mary, Martha, Magdalene and Seraphine. John Marshall for get-
ting me there in the first place; my wonderfully supportive wife, Bibi, for letting me return to Kenya
without her while she was working; and Dorking Choral Society for allowing me to talk about nothing
since I came back!

Priory thanks
Our thanks to Yolandy van Jaarsveld and Brett Musser for their enthusiasm and time on this project,
to Justin Doyle for finding time in his busy schedule to help us prepare, and to Dorking Choral Soci-
ety for making us a part of the performance.
 Dorking Choral Society

Soprano 1 Alto 1
Kate Boyle Christine Bass
Fenella Cane Lucinda Jane Butler-Manuel
Margaret Cann Jennie Byrne
Valerie Dunlop Clare Chin
Anne Dwyer Esme Cloherty
Val Harden Maureen Edwards
Jane Kumar Alison Everness
Sue Mahony Jenny Firth
Julia Maitland Sara Friday
Jackie Masterson Angela Haeems
Gill McAllen Rosemary Harbridge
Irene Packham Jan John
Catherine Ray Anne Pinches
Angharad Tryggvason Jean Scott
Rosemary Wagner Anne Slack
Vera Westwood Margaret Swaine
Juliet Winstone Helena Twentyman
Stephanie Wright Ann Watney

Soprano 2 Alto 2
Amanda Adey Val Arundel
Chris Beckley Sheila Bowers
Dianna Benoy Kate Cowls
Janet Benson Ann-Christine Harland
Barbara Christopher Shan ElizabethHolland
Pat Coyle Helen Livett
Sheila Gray Phyllis O'Shea
Pat Hale Judy Peace
Felicity Hill Jill Pittom
Sally Hornung Alison Reed
Gabrielle Norman Carmel Rowlands
Tessa Roberts Susan Scarrott
Gill Wells Beth Selcom
Mary Williams Mary Tessler
Sue Woodward Annie Watts
Shirley Weston

Tenor Bass
Martial Blaizot Tom Arundel
John Hale Gordon Bates
Nick Hudson Geoff Bowley
David John Ian Codd
Michael Kent John Firth
Robert McCaffrey David Hughes
Javed Kumar
Ges Ray
Crispian Shepley
Robert Turner
Peter Wigglesworth
Nick Wright
 Friends of Dorking Choral Society
I’m sure that you, along with the singers on the stage, have appreciated the opportunity
to listen to so many young voices, savoured the spectacle of the evening, and enjoyed
watching our talented conductor bring this wonderful music to life in the comfort of the
Dorking Halls with all its excellent facilities. However a concert like this comes with a
very high price tag so we are therefore indebted, as always, to all of our Friends listed
below, for their financial support.

A Friend of Dorking Choral Society is someone who shares the society' s aim of
promoting the love and performance of music in the area and is willing to pay a
subscription of not less than £15 a year to help the Society with the cost of its public
concerts and enable it to perform a wider range of music than would otherwise be
possible. Whilst £15 is the minimum annual payment, a higher subscription is of course
most welcome. It is of added benefit to the Society if Friends are prepared to Gift Aid
their subscriptions. Would you consider becoming a Friend? If you would please contact
the Friends'Secretary: Mrs Patricia Smith and keep in touch with all the activities of DCS
and its conductor Justin Doyle.

Friends’ Secretary
Mrs Patricia Smith, Stane Cottage, Horsham Road, mid-Holmwood, Dorking RH5 4EH
Tel: 01306 882011

Mrs Eva Armstrong Mr & Mrs Kohler Life Members

Mr & Mrs John Barter Miss Alison Lanning
Mrs Kathleen Bates Mr Martin Le Ray Miss Mary Bailey
Mr Peter Beckley Mr & Mrs R Middleton Mrs Lucy Harrow
Mr & Mrs Frank Bowley Mr Alan Peters Mrs Helen Rivers
Mrs Inez Bowley Mr Michael Pinches Mr & Mrs W Westnedge
Mrs Helen Brigham Mr Malcolm Pocknell Mrs Pamela White
Mr John Byrne Mr Christopher Robins Mr Greville White
Mrs Doreen Carr Mr & Mrs Martin Rogers
Mrs Fiona Codd Mrs Daphne Schreiner Hon Members
Mr Peter Downing Mrs Doreen Skelton
Mr & Mrs Derek Farenden Mr & Mrs Brian Smith Mr William Llewellyn
Mrs Madeleine Forster Mr Andy Tanner Miss Renée Stewart
Mrs Gay Fraser Mr Andrew Tessler Mr Philip White
Dr Geoff Glover Mr & Mrs Ralph Tilbury
Mr Ted Goater Mr Robert Turner
Mrs Molly Hornstein Mr David Watney
Mr & Mrs Christopher Hurst Sir Martin Wedgwood
Mr & Mrs N Hurst Mrs Eileen Whiting
Mrs Penny Jones Mr Edward Williams
 Donations
This evening’s performance enables us to make a contribution to the communities that provided the
inspiration for the music; there will be a retiring collection for those who wish to participate. If you
wish to add to these donations at a later date, please do make use of the form below.

The first beneficiary will be an orphanage located on the outskirts of Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest
city. The centre, run by the local Christian community, currently houses 30 children providing shelter,
primary education and health care. Many of the children have been orphaned by AIDS and face so-
cial exclusion as a result of prejudice and fear. Just to feed these children the orphanage must find
from somewhere £350 per month.

The second project is to help the residents of the district in Bunyore where the songs in the first half
of this evening' s concert were collected. Mwole, Ebusirate and the surrounding villages need fresh
water (a borehole), electricity (none at present) and a proper health centre (very limited facilities cur-
rently only in nearest town). However, we are not realistically expecting to raise the sort of funds that
can make such major projects happen; what we would like to do in the first instance is to help the
Church of the Holy Spirit replace their roof, buy text books for one of the local primary schools, give
the Muungano Church Choir Bunyore Chapter an mp3 recorder/player and some music, and other
such projects which might seem minor to us but which will make a huge difference to those who
benefit. If we raise a good sum, we can of course then give a donation towards more major projects
administered by a local charity within Bunyore.

This fund will be administered by Dorking Choral Society, with any donations and purchases sent by
the choir's committee directly to the orphanage in Kisumu and people living in Bunyore. If you would
like any further information regarding these projects, or if you would like us to update you with the
effects of our funding, please fill in your name and contact details below, and either give it to the
stewards with your donation or send to the contact address. We will stay in touch with you by email
so that you can see the results of your help.

Dorking Choral Society Project Donations

Name:
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Address:
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Email address:
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Telephone No:
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I enclose a donation of £

(Cheques payable to Dorking Choral Society)

Send to:

Mr Ges Ray, Chairman, Dorking Choral Society

55 Fairfield Drive Dorking Surrey RH4 1JQ
 with Dorking Choral Society and La Govelene
(our friends from Dorking’s twinned town of Gouvieux)

Sunday 14th December 2008

at
St Joseph’s Church, Dorking at 7 p.m.
Tickets £6 on the door to include a
glass of mulled wine and mince pies.

Free entrance for children.

The programme will include traditional carols, audience participation carols and the Choirs

If you would like to receive details of future DCS concerts or the Friends of DCS,
just fill in the slip below and hand it to a member after tonight’s concert, or send
to Chris Beckley, Secretary, Dorking Choral Society, 2 Cissbury Close, Horsham
RH12 5JT. Alternatively email us at: [email protected]

Name……………………………………………………………………………

Address…………………………………………………………………………

Post Code……….………..email…….………………………………………..

Telephone……………………………………………………………………….

Please send details of the Friends scheme or add my name to the mailing list.

The above details will be retained on the DCS database.