The Ugandan Kids Choir

The Kids of Uganda

Wow! The last 2 days have been a delight. We are recording the Ugandan Kids Choir. Ivan, their director has turned these children into a fabulous choir, There music is infectious. They sing music that is idiomatic to there country and culture. For me it conjures up Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Solomon Linda & The Evening Birds. They sing with a joy that seems lacking in many North American singers. Ivan is a gentle but firm director. When musicans are prepared, sessions are a breeze. These kids work in the studio like pros.

The children were exited to use the headphones and to hear the music in their heads. Ivan had the boys dance and sing while the girls were recording their parts. It made for great video and it kept the boys occupied. Then when the boys were recording the girls danced and sang. This allowed the boys to focus on their part without the girls vocal getting them off pitch.

Larry and Ivan stayed up till 1 AM to get the drum tracks perfect. Great job guys. Larry and Ivan were looking a little tired in the morning but the music got them back in the groove. Georg Solti once said that “there are directors with the music in their head and directors who have their head in the music”. Ivan definitely has the music in his head and in his heart. Great job.

On day 2 we did overdubs and completed constructing a song from scratch. The kids hung tough and made a great session. Ivan stepped up the pace and we completed the song in record time. Alexa and her crew kept the kids occupied. The children range in age from 9 to 11. I can’t wait for my teenage boys to see the video and hear the recordings. It is an example of what can be achieved with children with love, care, understanding, and discipline.

Today, a police officer from the Fort Collins Police Department came by the studio to give the kids a look at his patrol car. They loved it. Thanks to the officer who came out and to those that made it possible. Lunches were served by people from the faith community. Thank you to all the volunteers, especially Rock, who provided the video.