Bristol CD’s Worldwide Celebration

09 December 2007

Bristol’s St Nicholas on Tolentino richly diverse choir has created a CD full of uplifting songs and music from around the world.
 
St Nick’s Music Director, Alphonse Daudet Touna, harnessed the talents of singers and musicians from over 15 counties to produce the CD entitled ‘Sala Pamoja’ (which means ‘Working and Praying Together’ in Swahili).

You can listen to a special podcast featuring Alphonse Daudet Touna talking about the CD and examples of the music in the multimedia panel on the right. 
 
Alphonse Daudet Touna said, “At St Nicholas parish we all love the joy of rich diversity and sharing of traditions and cultures in many settings.
 
“Our new CD ‘Sala Pamoja’ is an opportunity to share some of this wealth with others.
 
“These songs of worship are drawn from different countries and languages around the world.
 
“How lovely it is to grow the Gospel by incorporating them, too, in your Sunday worship.
 
“We can only value our cultures by sharing them with others.  Everyone is welcome to contribute to the next project; we are hoping to produce another CD very soon!”
 
Parish Priest, Father Richard McKay said, “Alphonse is a very gifted and skilled musician.  He has a real gift for drawing the best out of people of all ages and from any background.
 
“I’m delighted the choir has produced this quality CD.  It’s a wonderful contribution to greater community cohesion and cultural understanding in our city of Bristol and throughout our Clifton Diocese.
 
“Along with many others I hope Alphonse can continue his enriching work here in Bristol - where he has become so well loved as a valued member of the wider community.”
 
Alphonse Daudet Touna began St Nick’s ‘One World Choir’ in 2003 and has developed an environment of diversity and multilingualism.  Members come from many different cultural backgrounds including Ghana, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, The Caribbean, Britain, Burundi, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Congo and Southern India.
 
One World Choir’s mission is to proclaim the gospel, to build harmony and unity within communities, and to enrich cultural values through songs that give praise to God.

The choir has supported the worship of the parish community at St Nick’s, in the inner-city Easton area of Bristol, at Sunday Mass.  It contributes to the wider community through charitable activities such as concerts.  The choir has performed at venues and events as diverse as the Young Offender Institution at Ashfield, Bristol Prison, Our Door Step Festival, and at the Colston Hall as part of Abolition 200.
 
You can buy ‘Sala Pamoja’ for just £10.00. It is available by calling Alphonse on 07940 228881.
 
Track listing (language - country of origin in brackets)
1          Achauya (Dembele - Zimbabwe)
2          Beghana Nane Mbog composed by Alphonse Daudet Touna (Bassa - Cameroon)
3          Amani yako (Swahili - Kenya)
4          Alleluia (Bassa - Cameroon)
5          Duma (Bulu - Cameroon)
6          Hidou (India)
7          Seeking the Face of Christ composed by Alphonse Daudet Touna (England - English)
8          Wanhua Vanzijni (Shona - Zimbabwe)
9          Nai Mambo (Zimbabwe)
10        Mfumu (Lingala – Congo)
11        Psalm 108 music composed by Martin Cush (England - English)
12        Telemani (Lingala - Congo)
13        Alleluia (Caribbean - English)
14        Yeda Wasse (Ghana)
15        Mvanue Nyota (Zimbabwe)
16        Seigneur, Nous voici devant Toi composed by Alphonse Daudet Alphonse (Cameroon - French)
17        Owe bo Sangi (Holy, Holy) (Cameroon - Douala)
18        Wamu Kamu Ponesi (Zimbabwe)
19        Amani (Swahili - Kenya)
20        India (Instrumental) (Kerala)

Producer:                      Alphonse Daudet Touna.
In collaboration with:      One World Choir.
With the support of:       St Nicholas of Tolentino Church.
Mixed by:                     Alphonse Daudet Touna.
Voices:                         Alphonse Daudet Touna, Rachel Hooper, Agnes, Maria Mapwashike and others.
Prayers:                       Betty Wear, Pam Scott, Gina Hamnett, Rita Cecilia Eugene, Bernice Pascal and Vivian Bryan.

News of Alphonse’s deportation case was reported in Monday’s (3 December) Western Daily Press.  You can read, see pictures and hear about Alphonse’s visit to the Home Office with a coach-load of supporters including Stephen Williams MP.  Find out more about Alphonse's band Helele and watch them on YouTube. 

You can also check the 'Keep Alphonse Drumming' page on MySpace where many messages of support can be read. 

And don't miss out on James Shaddick's short film on Alphonse - you can find it on YouTube. 

TV's Sherrie Eugene also appeals on behalf of Alphonse. 

Fill in the 'Your comments' form below and let people what you think of 'Sala Pamoja'.