Christ the King Choir thrills with Handel’s ‘Solomon’ at Sheraton Christmas Concert

Christ the King Church Choir Kampala has the tradition of throwing an upscale Christmas concert.  Even this time, it did not disappoint its loyal fans.

It blessed them with a powerful one. The concert took place at Sheraton Hotel, Kampala on Sunday.

Accompanied by Africa Institute of Music Orchestra and the highly experienced world class organist Paul Luggya (from Namirembe Cathedral), Christ the King Church Choir put up an impressive performance of Oratorio Solomon, a beautiful but highly challenging work composed by Frideric Handel, reportedly between May 5 and June 13, 1748.

A spectacle of Christ the King Church Choir and the Africa Institute of Music Orchestra during the former's Christmas concert. Photo by Mathias Mazinga

Under the direction of their skillful choral conductor, Eng. Jimmy Avini, the gallant choristers of Christ the King carried their fans along with them as they executed the work, which is much loved for its balance of arias and choruses, lyrical melodies and dramatic contrast.

The work, which has its libretto drawing from the book of Kings and Chronicles, and the writings of Josephus, is further loved for its three key episodes of King Solomon’s life, that is the building if the temple, the judgement of Solomon, and the visit of the Queen of Sheba.

During the three-hour long presentation, the choir’s soloists; soprano Liz Namukose (first woman), soprano Agnes Alowo Nsiimoomwe (second woman), soprano Grace Irakiza, tenor Bill Kevin, alto Henry Kaweesa (Solomon), tenor Edmund Kauka (Zadok), and John Mary Mukiza (bass) attracted even greater attention. They brought out the work’s operatic elements with great effect.

The choir's tradional percussionists in action during the concert. Photo by Mathias Mazinga

But that was not all! The choristers from Christ the King Church also performed a good number of traditional Christmas hymns (congregational hymns), giving their fans a chance to participate in the singing.

The concert was even more dignified by the presence of the highly regarded Parish Priest of Christ the King Church, the Rev Msgr. Gerald Kalumba, who paid tribute to the choir and its accompanists for putting up a brilliant performance that successfully ushered the fans into the festive season.

The concert ran under the theme: From the East unto the West.

Africa Institute of Music violin maestros spicing Christ the King Church Choir's Christmas concert.Photo by Mathias Mazinga

About Christ the King Church Choir Kampala

Christ the King Church Choir is the choral group that leads the singing during the 10 o’clock mass every Sunday at Christ the Jing Church Kampala. It has been in service at the church since 1936.

According to its reigning Chairman, Felix Nsiimoomwe, the choir at that time comprised mainly the Goan community (Indians), with a few Ugandan members. In the 1960s and 1970s, a good number of the choir members from the Goan community left the country leaving the few Ugandans to take up the task of rebuilding the choir by recruiting more Ugandans.

The Brothers of Christian Instruction participating in a congregational song. Photo by Mathias Mazinga

The choir has enjoyed steady growth in its membership, which currently stands at 60 active members. The membership is diverse with men and women from different walks of life, who have offered their services, voices and resources to God and the Church, on a purely voluntary basis.

It has continued to attract public admiration and regularly relies on financial contributions from well wishers.