It’s a Small World, the saying goes — so small, in fact, that CoroAllegro hopes to take you “Around the World in Eighty Minutes” at its choral concert later this week. 

This amazingly diverse and intense collection of folk and local music, packed into a program less than an hour and a half in length, spans six continents, 15 different cultures and 11 languages.

The program is mostly locally grown folk music —  a wild Scottish dance, a tender Korean love ballad, a sentimental American tune, a popular Argentinian bossa nova, an evocative Estonian ode. There’s a Ukrainian shepherd song, driving and intense; a hand-clapping Arabic invocation of praise; an anguished, layered musical poem where tribal Aboriginal folk struggle with the overwhelming confusion of modern, civilized chaos. 

And there’s the sweet, sentimental Irish ballad “Danny Boy.”  Around the world with your head still spinning, but home in time for bed!

“There is so much unique cultural expression that comes through the music,” says Sam Stein, CoroAllegro’s interim music director.

The group’s hope, he says, is that music brings humankind together into community. 

Consider a Ukrainian shepherding song, set against a Russian folk dance — two songs from countries currently locked in a death match. Challenged to justify his programming decision, Stein said, “The people who made the music have no animosity toward one another.”

CoroAllegro is something of a musical institution in the area.  Now in its 36^th season, it has established a reputation for creative and sometimes unusual programming. The group has been known for taking chances, chorally speaking, including commissioning a number of new works from local and nationally known composers, and presenting challenging pieces from outside of the traditional canon. 

Recent offerings include “Madrigal Mystery Tour” (a Beatles review), “Fifty Years of Disney,” and an entire program featuring women composers.

“We are trying to bring the music to a broader audience” says Becky Kelly, board president. “Through partnering and collaborating with local groups, we support the causes that we believe in while we make the best music we’re capable of.”

CoroAllegro (loosely translated from the Italian — “Merry Choir”) is a labor of love for its singers, who include both professional musicians and experienced amateurs. Periodically, it expands its chamber choir profile to become CoroAllegro and Friends, inviting singers from the area to join in putting on larger-scale works with orchestral accompaniment. 

Speaking of partnering with local groups, CoroAllegro is sharing the platform (literally) this time with Water Is Life Kenya (WILK).

This vital Newark-based nonprofit is focused on getting water access for the indigenous and drought-stricken Maasai people of Kenya. 

“We have 27 active clean water projects, and we’ve been able to serve about 80,000 people,” says Aaron Lemma, operations and outreach manager. “Our new program, Hope for Widows, helps make survival possible for women who have lost their husbands.” 

As an added bonus, Joyce Tannian, co-founder and executive director of WILK, also happens to be a well-known vocal artist.  She’ll join the group and perform the solo part on “Sigalagala,” a Lua spiritual praise song made popular by the Muungano National Choir of Kenya.

It’s not just a small world.  It’s a fragmented, fractured world.  CoroAllegro keeps hoping that holding up the unique musical voices of our variety can also reclaim what makes us all human together.

CoroAllegro presents “Around the World in Eighty Minutes,” Friday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., at Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Newark. Also, Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church, Wilmington. Tickets available at coroallegro.com. CoroAllegro is funded in part by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts.

Carl Burnam is a tenor with CoroAllegro.

The post CoroAllegro Offers a Musical Journey Around the World with Aim to Bring Us Together appeared first on Water is Life Kenya.

The Return of Thirst Reverse (two locations)

We’re returning to Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant for two Thirst Reverse Events. On Wednesday, April 19, you can find us in Newark, DE, from 11:00am-9:00pm. Then on Wednesday, May 3, we’ll be at Iron Hill in Ardmore, PA, from 4:00pm-9:00pm. You’ll also have a chance to purchase Kenyan-made beaded jewelry and handicrafts at our table.

20% of your food (in-house or to go) and non-alcoholic beverage purchases will be donated to Water is Life Kenya for our water and livestock projects, along with $1 from every pint of Kenyan Quench, which will be on tap. Let your server know you’d like to support Water is Life Kenya.

Reservations are recommended for both locations.

CoroAllegro & WILK Concerts (two locations)

Local musical ensemble CoroAllegro has invited our own Joyce Tannian to collaborate on their spring concert: Around the World in 80 Minutes. The first concert at Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Newark starts at 7:30pm on Friday, April 28, and the second at Concord Presbyterian Church in Wilmington starts at 7:00pm on Saturday, April 29. You’ll hear songs from different countries and cultures around the world. We’re grateful for the opportunity to co-present this concert, and even bring Kenyan music to Delaware! At each concert, our Beaded Handicrafts will be on sale. Tickets are $20 each. To purchase one, please click here.

University of Delaware’s AG Day

For the first time, Water is Life Kenya will be representing the Maasai community and our Livestock as a Business program at UD’s AG day! Activities, entertainment, animals, plant sales, educational exhibits, entertainment, and UDairy Creamery ice cream will all be present. The 2023 Ag Day theme, “Ag Around the Corner,” puts the spotlight on local farms and wildlife, with a particular focus on opportunities for young people to engage and participate in the future of agriculture and natural resources throughout Delaware. We can’t wait to be a part of this awesome event!

Newark Center For Creative Learning’s Greenfest

We’re happy to be celebrating sustainability with our friends over at the NCCL School for their annual Kid’s Greenfest celebration. NCCL School is an environmentally-conscious, progressive elementary/middle school located in Newark, Delaware. Greenfest is an educational event with the mission of promoting sustainable living for children and families in the local community.

The post Where in the World is WILK: Upcoming Events appeared first on Water is Life Kenya.