Kampala singers perform Chilcott's Jazz mass

Easter is around the corner and choral groups have started staging concerts. The Kampala Singers are probably the first choral group to throw a concert for their fans.

The thrilling interdenominational and multi-ethnic choral group staged its Easter concerts at St Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe, over the weekend (Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7).

Organist Paul Luggya( left),percussionist Roy Kasika and bass-guitarist Chris Weigers accompanying the Kampala Singers during their Easter concert

 
The choir's beautiful performance may not have surprised its fans owing to its rich culture of quality concert-artistry. The people were nonetheless astonished by the unprecedented musical work that the choir performed.

They sang Bob Chilcott's A Little Jazz Mass, a jazz-tinted work based on the Latin Missa Brevis. 

The Kampala Singers in action during their Easter Concert at Namirembe Cathedral on Sunday, April 7

 
Chilcott, who is acknowledged as one of the most popular contemporary composers in Britain, wrote the wonderful work for the 2004 Crescent City Choral Festival, New Orleans. The Kampala Singers performed the work with great skill, bringing out clearly its various influences of jazz, blues, Gregorian and English choral traditions.

The choir's beautiful performance was highly boosted by its accompanists who included organist Paul Luggya, percussionist Roy Kasika (drums), bass-guitarists Lawrence Omola and Chris Weigers. Soloist Joanita Katushabe also had a beautiful performance. Choral conductor Kiggundu Musoke also won the admiration of the fans for his skillful management and direction of the concert.

At the conclusion of the concert, Kiggundu encouraged all those who have an interest in singing, to join the choir. He also encouraged all Ugandans to give the choir moral and financial support.

A cross-section of the Kampala Singers' fans singing

A cross-section of the Kampala Singers' fans