Kenya: Safaricom Youth Orchestra marks ninth graduation ceremony

During the ceremony, held at Jalaram Auditorium in the capital Nairobi, 16 young musicians received certificates in orchestral music performance after successfully learning to play instruments such as the flute, saxophone, trumpet and violin.

Launched in 2014, the Safaricom Youth Orchestra is an annual musical programme that brings together 70 children aged between 10 and 17 years from different backgrounds. Over the years, the orchestra has nurtured and guided upcoming Kenyan musicians, with many schools tapping into its training opportunities.

The orchestra provides passionate youngsters with the opportunity to be taught and guided by some of Kenya’s top musicians and musical directors. So far, more than 170 students have graduated and gone on to pursue university education in music and other disciplines.

“The orchestra celebrates the transformative power of music in changing lives,” Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said. “We have seen the great strides made through interactions with the tutors and music directors to shape the students into respectable members of society. Safaricom Youth Orchestra has been with us for nine years and it really showcases what we can do if we invest in music, youth and art.”

Safaricom has contracted the Art of Music Foundation to run the programme. The foundation provides the administrative framework for the orchestra, from running yearly auditions to arranging weekly rehearsals and hiring teaching and support staff.

The Art of Music Foundation was founded in 2009 by Elizabeth Njoroge with a core mission to promote the performance and appreciation of music in Kenya while changing the lives of young people living in poor areas. “The orchestra brings worlds together; here we have students from everywhere across Kenya,” Njoroge said.

Applications to join the next cohort of the Safaricom Youth Orchestra will close on 10 April for the class starting in May 2023. An open call for a physical audition to join the orchestra will be made before 22 April.

Students who graduated this year include Gabrielle Odhiambo, Richard Asungu, Chenaiah Sarah Oliwa, Francis Kafue, Melvin Omao, Peace Mbugua, Veer Rajen Shah, Roy Mwaura and Angela Kariuki, among others.