The African Children’s Choir

What: African youth choir singing gospels, traditional spirituals, children’s songs

When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 15

Where: Eastern Hills Community Church, 91 Savannah Lane, Carlsborg

Cost: Free; donations accepted

More info: Call 681-4367

Inspiration on the stage, with hopes of a brighter future off of it.

A Sequim church is host to some young singers and dancers from afar when Eastern Hills Community Church — at 91 Savannah Lane in Carlsborg — hosts The African Children’s Choir in concert at 7 p.m. Friday, April 15.

The program features well-loved children’s songs, traditional spirituals and gospel favorites. Concerts are free and open to all; a free-will offering is taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir programs, such as education, care and relief and development programs.

Music for Life, the parent organization for The African Children’s Choir, is a nonprofit humanitarian and relief organization. Music for Life works in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. The organization has educated over 52,000 children and impacted the lives of over 100,000 people through its relief and development programs during its history, representatives say.

This is the 45th tour since the organization started sponsoring concert tours in 1984, said Sarah Lidstone, North American choir operations manager.

“It started with an initial relief effort, with a lot of war and terrible situations in Uganda,” Lidstone said.

Music for Life’s purpose is to help create new leadership for tomorrow’s Africa, by focusing on education.

“We partner with the most vulnerable children (in Uganda),” she said, helping the youths — a choir of about 18 singers and dancers of ages 7-10 — pursue education opportunities.

“The organization will stay with them through college and university,” Lidstrom said.

The African Children’s Choir has had the privilege to perform before presidents, heads of state and most recently the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II, for her Diamond Jubilee.

The choir also has had the honor of singing alongside artists such as Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey and Michael W. Smith.

By the time they reach Sequim, the African youths will have been on tour about two weeks.

“One of the most common feedback (we get) is the joy the children exude during the concerts,” Lidstrom said. “To see them onstage smiling, singing and dancing — it’s pretty contagious. As an audience member, you take a look at your own life circumstances.”

Some of the songs are performed in African languages while others are gospels sung in English, with various pieces performed with drumming and dancing.

“The performances are really high energy,” Lidstrom said. “It’s a really vibrant show (and) a really great variety that appeals to all ages.”