Introduction

It is a norm of the choir to record an album after a certain period of time and so far the choir had recorded 3 albums as of 2013 and it was for this reason that the choir decided to record another album so that we can continue evangelizing through music as we also nurture the talents of our members. This recorded was slated to happen from as early as 2016 but due to unavoidable circumstances, it was not possible but come 2018 the choir officials decided that it was time we made our dream come true. The album is titled “Twaelekea wapi “as it was felt that there was a need to encourage people to change their sinful ways and turn back to God which is the main aim of our album. The album has 12 songs in total all composed by our choir members.

Preparations

Preparations and practices for the recording started in 2016 where we learnt some of the songs we have recorded and the practices continued in 2017 and 2018 even as there were minor inconveniences here and there which hindered the recording. However, after the extravaganza, we intensified the practices where we would meet daily from 12 noon to 5 pm for the week running from 19^th -23^rd March and from 10 am- 4 pm for the week running from 26^th March to 1^st April with the exception of Good Friday. All voices were well represented and the following were the members who participated in the practices and the recording.

Soprano

• Esther Wanjiku
• Sabina Apronia
• Benaline Chepngeno
• Marion Joy Akinyi
• Jedidah Kaseva

Alto

• Catherine Kioko
• Cecilia
• Risper Machira

Tenor

• Bonface Kioko
• Chris Odoyo
• Pius Sang
• Kelvin Ndini
• Patrick Mwangi
• Sebastian Giseba
• Vincent Masyuko
• Willy Kemboi
• Douglas Makori

Bass

• James Ndung’u
• Audi Victor
• Zachary Wachira
• Rawlings Kirimi
• Raymond Sure
• Justine Riose

Pianist

• Erick Juma

The recording

The recording took place on the 2^nd and the 3^rd of April. In the first day we met in school at 7:30 and after prayers and a brief meeting we walked to the recording studio i.e Hitscore Studios in K.P.C.U House along Hailesellasie Avenue and we arrived there some minutes to 8 and began the recording at around 8:30 am. We recorded all the songs in two sessions where each voice sang separately in its own booth and we recorded in two sessions. The first session run from 8; 30 to 12:45 when we took a lunch break and the second session ran from 2:00- 3:45.We however had short breaks of between 5-10 minutes in between the sessions. We first sang a trial for each song without recording and then sang while recording each song twice .The following is the order in which the songs were recorded.

First Session

Second Session

Second Day

On the first day we were to repeat recording all the songs, singing them once as a choir but we did not manage since the members were already exhausted .We therefore agreed to go finish the recording the next day early in the morning since some members wanted to travel home that day. We were to meet at the studio at 6:30 and we started recording at 7: 00 am.We recorded in two sessions where we first recorded the first 7 songs then took a 10 minutes break after which we then finished recording the rest of the songs. We recording at around 8:30 am after which we had a meeting in the studio to review the recording and strategize on how we would pay the remaining balance and fund the shooting. The general feeling was that we had done a great job and members felt that what we recorded was an improvement from the previous volumes. Members agreed to contribute 500 shillings each towards the payment of the balance and it was agreed that we would contribute the money by 15^th so we can have the songs released as soon as possible. A committee to facilitate the shooting and the mobilization of funds for the same was formed .After the meeting members stayed to listen to some of the songs we had recorded and after that members left at their own pleasure.

Appreciations

1. I want to thank God for making this possible for seeing us through this whole journey.
2. I want to thank all chaplaincy members led by our chaplain Rev. Fr. Ndikaru WA Teresia for their immense support throughout this whole journey.
3. I want to thank all choir officials for their sacrifices to make this possible.
4. I appreciate all the composers, trainers and the pianist for all their sacrifices and contributions towards this recording.
5. I thank all the choir members who participated in the recording for their immense support, resilience, commitment and sacrifice. I can never thank you enough.

May God bless you all abundantly.

Challenges

1. One of the challenges we faced was a low turnout as most of our members were absent due to the ongoing lecturer’s strike.
2. Another challenge we faced was lack of enough funds which also was due to the numerous strikes we have had over the past one year where we have not been able to mobilize for funds well when our members are absent.

Recommendations

1. The next recording should happen soon enough before the financial sources are exhausted.