Dr. Opabola, the choir’s advisor, addressing the audience

One of the invited African choirs

Kuala Lumpur, 16 January 2009 - The Hossana Choral Voices Choir held their inaugural performance at the auditorium of UCSI University to welcome new students from Africa. Members of the choir were primarily African students from Nigeria and Botswana. They performed acapella for traditional hymns and native songs.

The 17 numbers performed were accompanied by special presentations by African choirs from various Kuala Lumpur churches. Some of the songs in the repertoire included hymns such as His Eye is On the Sparrow, How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place and traditional songs like Kabiesi (I Greet You) and Tornu chineke (Thank you God).Associate Professor Dr. Opabola Sunday Babatunde, the group’s advisor and a lecturer at UCSI University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, was present at the event. He commended the students for reaching out to new students from Africa and for helping them adapt to the international community at UCSI University, which has a student population of 60-plus nationalities.

Kari Elias, head of the choral organizing committee, said the choir had been planning for the performance since December 2008. Kari, a UCSI University student, was delighted by the appreciation shown by comrades hailing from Africa, the Middle East and of course, Malaysia.

The concert closed on an even higher note as students performed songs in their native languages – proof that music transcended the boundaries of language and religion.