Children's choir brings energetic show to Whitefish

The African Children’s Choir returns to Whitefish with a pair of performances on Sunday.

Anyone who’s attended previous African Children’s Choir performances knows to expect the unexpected.

“It’s certainly more than children standing on stage,” said choir director Tina Sipp.

Drumming, dancing, choreography and colorful costumes come together for an hour-long performance that will fill the room with energy.

“It’s very engaging, inspiring and moving,” Sipp added.

Hosted by the Whitefish Church of the Nazarene, the choir returns to Whitefish with a pair of performances on Sunday, May 8.

Composed of African children who have felt the impacts of war, famine and disease in their home countries, the choir is backed by the nonprofit relief organization Music For Life dedicated to helping Africa’s most vulnerable.

Children tour with the choir for 10 months before returning to Africa to continue their education. Each member ultimately has their college education paid for through the nonprofit.

There are no tickets to the Whitefish performances, but offerings are accepted to help support the choir’s efforts.

“These children are also ambassadors for thousands of other children,” Sipp added. “They’re raising money for more than themselves.”

Months of practice go into these performance before the choir launches the 10-month nationwide tour. There are more than a dozen stops in Montana alone.

“They’re learning English while also learning an 80-minute dance routine,” Sipp said. “All the drumming and costume changes and speeches — it’s a lot for them to learn, but they put it all together.”

Each choir performance is different from year to year, Sipp said.

“The costumes are completely different,” she added. “Some songs repeat, there are old favorites people love that we keep in the show.”

Sipp says all ages will enjoy the choir, from babies to the elderly.

“The children are so disarming and innocent,” she said. “When you see a child working it out, it transcends every barrier. Everyone is engaged with the program.”

The performances are Sunday, May 8 at the Whitefish Church of the Nazarene at 9:45 a.m., then at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m.

Call 862-2433 for information or visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com to learn more about the choir.