Song and dance, heart and soul

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- The children cavorted onto the stage, clad in long purple and yellow garments that failed to hinder their energetic movements once the music started playing. The troupe hardly once stayed still, always jumping, dancing, and racing about the stage. Even when standing still and singing, hand and body gestures provided a visual interpretation of the audio performance.

Such was the scene at Wednesday night's performance of the African Children's Choir, a group that tours the nation raising support for victims of poverty and hardship all over the African continent. The Wasilla Assembly of God church was filled to the rafters both with their music and the din of a huge, appreciative crowd.

The choir performed not only traditional songs and dances in their own tongue and style, but also traditional English favorites such as "You Are My Shepherd," "Lean on Me," "From a Distance" and "Because You Loved Me."

The large crowd in attendance at Assembly of God got into the action as well, clapping and occasionally even singing along with the choir.

After a brief informational video showing some of the faces of poverty in Africa and the need to provide support for care givers and others working for change on the continent, and a speech from one of the choir's former members, now full-grown but still advocating charitable support for his home, the choir reappeared, to the delight of the audience.

The troupe was now clad in black and dun-colored tunics and colorful yellow-orange skirts, which shook and flared as the children executed a vibrant traditional African dance to the accompaniment of thundering drums and hand claps from the audience.

The choir has been in existence since 1984, when it first toured North America to raise support for other African children.

Over the years, hundreds of young people have benefited from its efforts. According to literature from the choir's parent organization, Music For Life, the troupe operates several literary and catch-up schools in Uganda; nine primary schools and a high school in Sudan; a skills training center; a medical clinic; an education and health center called the African Outreach Academy; a banana and coffee plantation and numerous other educational and assistance-based programs.

The organization relies upon donations and volunteer hours to continue its work.

Assembly of God pastor Ed Kalnins said the concert was less about neediness than resolve.

"We're not out to meet a need, we're here to fulfill a vision," he said. Kalnins said the African Children's Choir had visited the Valley two years ago, and the performance was so popular that the troupe was invited to play an encore show in 2004.

Wowed by the frenetic performance, the audience dug deep to help out the cause.

In just a single collection, Kalnins said, the crowd raised more than $6,200.

The performance was a joint production of Wasilla Assembly of God and Crossroads Community Church.Both Kalnins and Pastor Phil Markwardt spoke blessings over the children, expressing their hope for their continued work toward the charitable cause.

Toward the end of the program, there was a time for the choir members to share their favorite Scripture verses and give their dream occupations for when they grew up. These vocations ranged from pilots to pastors to teachers.

To learn more about volunteering or donating to the choir, visit their Web site at www.africanchildrenschoir.com.

Contact Daniel Spoth at daniel.spoth@frontiersman.com.