Lawyers, marketers, administrative assistants, teachers, I.T specialists, media practitioners: the list goes on and on. It's not everyday you come across such diversity in one performing troupe. Well, this is no ordinary assemblage. Voices United Choir is a group that's been tested and tried, no doubt with their fare shares of ups and down. Nonetheless they have emerged as Kenya 's premier urban choir, not only releasing multiple albums, they've had numerous nominations and awards, criss-crossed the nation performing; all the while holding down full time jobs.
The genesis of this choir is as interesting as their journey. The Heavenly Voices Choir of Chrisco Church and the Fortress Youth Fellowship Choir of the Nairobi Pentecostal Church , Valley Road were separate choirs under the leadership of Chris Adwar and Mike Nyaoke respectively.
A chance meeting at a concert in 1998 led them to consider incorporating for a joint event. After a series of concerts together, the groups decided to stay together. The name Voices United Choir was then introduced.
Since then, VUC have had the opportunity to perform across the country in various venues. They've held concerts in Nairobi , Mombasa , Kisumu, Nakuru, Thogoto, and Limuru, just to name a few.
Even though co-founder and lead vocalist, Mike Nyaoke, left the country, the group has continued to flourish. Internally, Abraham Ayiro, music director Chris Adwar (music director) and Vivian Ashioya serve as the leadership team, while Pastors Patrick Kuchio (NPC Woodley) and Aggrey Ayiro (Kingdom Life Centre) serve to give spiritual leadership.
Noteworthy events VUC have been involved in include curtain-raising for international acts Parachute Band of New Zealand and Rebecca Malope of South Africa on their respective tours of Kenya . They also performed at the inaugural Standard Chartered Bank Nairobi Marathon (2003), and the 93.3 Hope FM anniversary celebrations. 2000 saw them participate and end up eventual winners of the prestigious Battle of the Choirs talent competition organized by Family Media . The choir has also won the 2002 Coca-Cola Christmas Cantata award and picked up the best Choir award at the 2004 Groove Awards.
The question begs to be asked, ‘How does a group of predominantly young professionals balance between their careers and their flourishing music ministry?
Well, they believe in sacrifice, seeing VUC as their unique ministry calling. They are very focused on their vision, which is;
“To bring persons to the knowledge of Jesus Christ following the divine order of ministry – we to Him, Him to us, and us to ‘our neighbors'”
They also aim to create a forum where talents are exploited positively and create higher standards for Christian music both locally and abroad.
As part of their commitment, they meet twice a week; for Bible Study to nourish their souls and uplift each other, and for regular practice sessions. Fortunately they receive a lot of support from bosses who cannot help but acknowledge that they are actually living out the Christian life at the work place. They believe in sacrifice; they own VUC and it is a deep calling. They meet twice a week; for Bible Study to nourish their souls and to uplift each other, and for regular choir practice.
Yet with all their successes, the VUC story is not complete without mention of the 2004 Konza tragedy. Scheduled to perform at the Coast, courtesy of a Mombasa Pentecostal Church invite, VUC members were all pumped up for the ministry opportunity.
Yet with all their successes, the VUC story is not complete without mention of the 2004 Konza tragedy. Scheduled to perform at the Coast, courtesy of a Mombasa Pentecostal Church invite, VUC members were all pumped up for the ministry opportunity.
A majority of the members opted to travel on Thursday night (April 1 st ), with the rest making the trip the following evening. Little did they know what lay ahead would affect their lives and ministry forever.
While driving past the Konza ranch, a few kilometers from the Machakos junction, their vehicle experienced a frontal tire bust. The bus veered off the road, violently overturning severally, before finally resting upside down.
Yet with all their successes, the VUC story is not complete without mention of the 2004 Konza tragedy. Scheduled to perform at the Coast, courtesy of a Mombasa Pentecostal Church invite, VUC members were all pumped up for the ministry opportunity. A majority of the members opted to travel on Thursday night (April 1 st ), with the rest making the trip the following evening. Little did they know what lay ahead would affect their lives and ministry forever. While driving past the Konza ranch, a few kilometers from the Machakos junction, their vehicle experienced a frontal tire bust. The bus veered off the road, violently overturning severally, before finally resting upside down.
The magnitude of the accident was not immediately apparent, until bodies started being removed from the mangled wreckage. Six VUC members died on the spot while the seventh one died three days later in hospital. Some experienced varying degrees of injury, with others amazingly escaping unscathed.
This horrific accident had a double effect on the choir. Initially despair set in, with many disillusioned and confused. Nonetheless, over time, with plenty of support from the entertainment and spiritual fraternity, VUC admit that their greatest achievement has been to see God favor them time and again, keeping them together so long after their darkest moment. Having the support of the family members of those who passed on continually urges them to carry on.
VUC is not all about the show. They discern what God would have them say, as opposed to what people want to hear. There are times new songs have been learnt while performing. It's all about giving God room in their ministry…it's all as a result of worship.
VUC released their first album titled And it came to pass to rave reviews. It featured the lingala-infused hit radio single Nimetafuta. 2005 saw them embark on their sophomore project Lamo. This rich 10 track album sees them collaborating with some of the industry's finest, including Kanjii (of Milele ), KORA Award winner Eric Wainaina and Neema , a new entrant in the local gospel scene. Highlights include the Leo-Go medley, the title-cut Lamo and Fly away.
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thank you.
tabi.