This past week ELCSL musicians continued their work preparing music for worship in the Krio language. Early in the week we gathered a small choir together to record the music that was written last week, and we also recorded a spoken version of the Krio liturgy – from the opening confession to the words of dismissal.
Recording of the new music was managed by Rob Veith who serves with Lutheran Bible Translators in Botswana. Daniel Mossima played the drums; David Kargbo and Halima George sang with the choir.
The recording session went smoothly at St. Mark’s in Calaba Town although we had to pause for rain delays a couple of times throughout our time together. (The sound of the falling rain became quite loud upon occasion.) The ELCSL is blessed with many talented and creative musicians, and the team that came together to “sing a new song” did a fantastic job composing and performing.
At the keyboard, Tom Barnett Jr. is the national music director. He will play a key role in teaching the new liturgical music to congregations.
We are now waiting to hear the final product: a CD of the new Krio liturgy and music which will be distributed to the congregations of the ELCSL. We will also look into producing cassette tapes as I am told that many people in the provinces do not have access to CD players. Along with the CD’s and cassettes, we will be distributing a written version of the complete liturgy and the new songs which will be useful for those who can read Krio.
Choir members Mariam Boima, James Tulley and Betty Fannah. We recorded with voice and percussion only.
The musicians who participated in this project have indicated a willingness to begin teaching the new music to their own congregations. Personally, I have been hearing echoes of the music all week; some of the pieces are, as they say in Krio, very “sweet.” Our most immediate goal will be to train a choir to lead worship in Krio for the ELCSL General Assembly in Bo, scheduled for early November. Teaching both words and music will be an ongoing process in coming months and years, but we’ve made a good start this week. I also hope the ELCSL musicians will be inspired to continue composing music so that Lutheran worship in Sierra Leone will remain vibrant and dynamic in giving praise and glory to God.
Thanks for your continuing reports, Kate. Is there any way we can hear some of the music that has been prepared through an online site? Probably not, but I thought I would ask.
Youtube? Ok I can ask.
Wonderful project. A lot of work clearly went into this project. You deserve much credit Kate! Catherine
I will try to upload a couple of videos to You Tube this weekend and let y’all know how that goes. (With a subscription for a video upgrade I could upload videos directly into my blog but have only seriously thought about this option in light of this project).
I hope you’ll be bringing a cassette or video along back to the US. Would be wonderful to hear. Great progress! Sally
What a great project! I’d love to hear/ watch the process/ results!