Nairobi Orchestra

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The Nairobi Orchestra is a Kenyan orchestra that was founded in 1947 by the British Dr. Ralph Roylance Scott, and is one of the oldest symphony orchestras on the African continent.^[1][2] It gathers many of the most advanced players in the country to perform symphonic repertoire in regular concerts throughout the year. Together with the Nairobi Music Society, it constitutes the center of classical music performance in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

History[edit]

Precursors and formation[edit]

The first recorded instance of an orchestra in Kenya can be traced back to a performance at Nairobi's Theatre Royal (now known as Cameo Cinema on Kenyatta Avenue) on September 7, 1914. During this event, a crowd is said to have assembled to listen to Colonel Ewart Grogan, and an orchestra set on hand to stir up the audience with patriotic songs.^[1]

Before the formation of the Nairobi Orchestra, several other ensembles have existed in Kenya, illustrating the early growth and progress of orchestral music in the region. These ensembles included the Nairobi Orchestral Society, formed in 1918, the Nairobi Musical Society's Junior Orchestra, active from 1941 to 1943 as well as various ensembles in Prisoners of War camps, among them the Central Italian Orchestra (CIO), active from 1943 to 1946, led by Giuseppe Gagliano. These ensembles played a significant role in the progression of orchestral music in Kenya, paving the way for the establishment of the Nairobi Orchestra.^[1]

Early days[edit]

Nairobi Orchestra held its founding concert on December 7th 1947. In this inaugural concert, the orchestra played classical works by composers including Beethoven and some pieces that were newly orchestrated for the orchestra by the Belgian professional musician Jean de Middeleer, who had settled in Kenya and was the first chair and principal conductor of the Nairobi Orchestra. For the next couple of years, the ensemble put together regular concerts until 1953. From then, smaller ensembles kept up the spirit.^[1]

Revival in the 1960s[edit]

In 1966, it was again Dr. Ralph Roylance Scott who took the initiative to get the Nairobi Orchestra back together. For a long time, Nairobi Orchestra was the only ensemble in Kenya, performing orchestral music. Over the years, several high profile soloists were invited to play with the orchestra.

Annetta Miller became the Orchestra’s first female conductor in 1975.

Recent developments since 2000[edit]

From the beginning of the new millennium, more and more Kenyan musicians joined the orchestra^[3][4]. In 2004, Duncan Wambugu became the first Kenyan conductor to direct an entire Nairobi Orchestra concert.^[5][6]

The COVID-19 pandemic put the orchestra’s activities on hold. A virtual premier of ‘Beethoven in Kenya’ by Shaka Marko came out nevertheless.^[7]

Highly praised by the media was the cooperation with John Sibi Okumu in March 2022, when the orchestra played “Carnival of the Animals” and “Tubby the Tuba” with Jenny Wafula as soloist.^[8]

In June 2023 Nairobi Orchestra was part of the program for renowned cellist’s Yo-Yo Ma Bach project tour Nairobi concert.^[9] It then played concerts dubbed “Kenya at 60”, which were a milestone as they presented more than 80 players on stage - the largest Nairobi Orchestra had ever been. And also the most pieces for orchestra by Kenyan composers and arrangers in a single concert, including works by Njane Mugambi, Nancy Day and Shaka Marko amongst others.^[10]

Nairobi Orchestra has premiered several pieces by Kenyan composers, including Beethoven in Kenya by Shaka Marko and Ujenzi and Hifadhi by Njane Mugambi.^[11]

Nairobi Orchestra together with the Nairobi Music Society contributes to the recurring fundraising concerts dubbed "Voices for Hospices" raising funds for Nairobi Hospice, a charity that provides palliative care services to patients facing life limiting illnesses.^[12]

Organizational Form[edit]

The Nairobi Orchestra is run by a volunteer committee elected by the orchestra members in the annual general assembly. The current chairperson is Jenny Wafula and principal conductor is Levi Wataka, a multi-instrumentalist and teacher involved in the Ghetto Classics, a program that empowers youth in the slums Korogocho and Mukuru through classical music.^[13][14]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

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