It's the only symphony orchestra in central Africa and the only all-black orchestra in the world. He's also a self taught instruments maker. Some years ago when I was working in Democratic Republic of the Congo, I was introduced to the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra. Bound together by family and religion, the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra managed to shock the world with their skill and tenacity. Welcome to The Democratic Republic of Congo. But some people in the city are doing something they really enjoy. Life is not easy for many people in Kinshasa. Video, 00:02:16, Up Next. Jonathan Dimbleby meets the musicians of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra rehearsing in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The film is about the Congo, the people in Kinshasa and the power of music. The orchestra was featured on CBS 60 Minutes and has performed across the DRC and around the world. The Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra represents the strong sense of community within the Congolese people and the power that community has to make a difference. They rehearse after work or school six days a week. Armand is the acclaimed founder and conductor of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Video, 00:01:55Where do Covid variants come from? Review. Before rehearsals she works in the Kinshasa Central Market selling omelettes. The Congo’s Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra grew from one man’s dream to 200 musicians and vocalists providing joy to the mostly poor, bleak capital of … ... His father, who became the second leader of the Kimbanguist church, told Mr … Advertisement. She was one of Albert's first pupils. 60 Minutes featured a wonderful story this week about the 200-member Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra. Because that rented warehouse is home to the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, a group of world renown, self-taught, talented musicians from the Kimbanguist church. Photo by @thomas.nicolon // Members of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra rehearse in Kasangulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. symphony orchestra. Many people of Kinshasa live in small, crowded homes. Video, 00:02:16Kinshasa's symphony orchestra turns 20, Up Next. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. The Kimbanguist Church (that’s right, a church) is perhaps the largest African Independent church at 5.5 million members. His wife Josephine Nsemba plays the cello. Video, 00:00:35, Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. The name of the orchestra gives us a big clue. That number is continually growing and the religion has spread to other African nations as well. Armand Diangienda, a pilot with a love of Western classical music and a dream of becoming a conductor, lost his job. Tell me more about the orchestra. Video, 00:03:00, 'Oprah is among the best interviewers in the world' Video, 00:02:02, 'Oprah is among the best interviewers in the world', Meghan: 'It's liberating... to be able to speak for yourself' Video, 00:01:43, Meghan: 'It's liberating... to be able to speak for yourself', Where do Covid variants come from? Video, 00:01:43, The women saving India's intricate flower embroidery, Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. The Democratic Republic of Congo Web Tour. The church is also a big performer of volunteering and social services such as healing, education, and youth work. 'Kinshasa Symphony': An Ode To Musical Joy In Central Africa : Deceptive Cadence Watch an excerpt from an amazing documentary about a singular African amateur orchestra — … The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Our Story It Started With an Idea. The only symphony orchestra in central Africa is celebrating its 20th anniversary this December. Read about our approach to external linking. The orchestra has achieved international recognition against all odds. The superpower and the Saudis. They've performed in front of crowds of thousands of people, including top Kinshasa officials. Armand is … The Kimbanguist church was established in 1921 by Simon Kimbangu, a Baptist Congolese catechist (a fancy word for teacher of Christianity). Armand Diangienda, the grandson of Simon Kimbangu. Men, women, children, and families come together to learn, practice, and perform some of the most difficult pieces of classical music there are. Yet in Kinshasa, the capital city, we found an unforgettable symphony orchestra -- 200 musicians defying the poverty, hardship, and struggles of life in the world's poorest country, and creating some of the most moving music we have ever heard. Video, 00:01:43The women saving India's intricate flower embroidery, Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. Kimbangu is said to have been a miraculous healer and skilled preacher. Adrian Clemens "Clem" Taylor (January 27, 1954 – March 21, 2014) was an American television news producer, noted for his work on 60 Minutes, The Early Show and CBS News.Taylor won a Peabody Award for his 60 Minutes segment, "Joy in the Congo," which featured the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra of Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The only symphony orchestra in central Africa comes to Britain. Kinshasa orchestra: 'It was a dream' Video, 00:02:55Kinshasa orchestra: 'It was a dream', Orchestras hit right note in DR Congo. Taylor won eight Emmys over the course of his career, including one for his April 2012 60 Minutes segment, "Joy in the Congo," about the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra in the … It was founded by Simon Kimbangu in the Democratic Republic of … The Congolese Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste is composed almost exclusively of amateur musicians who have taught themselves how to play their instruments. "Kimbanguist?" Kinshasa's symphony orchestra turns 20. Video, 00:03:09, 'Gorilla Glue girl' to make full recovery, The women saving India's intricate flower embroidery. The Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra makes music in Kinshasa. It's really one big community. The Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra was founded 20 years ago. After years of playing traditional German music, Mr. Diangienda has a particular love of Beethoven, the orchestra director is working on his fourth symphony titled "My Identity" which he says will have a distinctly Congolese sound. Video, 00:00:35Hundreds at funeral for teen killed in Myanmar protests. They are paid little money for the work that they do. Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, the only symphony orchestra in central Africa, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this December. Video, 00:03:40The pizza place with sign language on the menu, ICYMI: Underwater art and Covid vaccine celebrations. A new German documentary film, "Kinshasa Symphony," tells the story of the orchestra's most recent major performance and how it came to be. To learn more about the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra -- including how you can help -- click here. In 1992, Armand created this group, the first all-black symphony orchestra in the world, and the only symphony orchestra in Central Africa. Well, after traveling and performing in three continents, the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra has returned home to work on a new chapter in their music. Awesome! I first visited it in 2010, the year a German documentary, Kinshasa Symphony, shot it to international fame. It was founded by Simon Kimbangu in the Democratic Republic of … At the time this interview was conducted, Albert was in the midst of building a double bass for the orchestra. Many of the instruments played in the orchestra are handmade and some are completely original inventions (that's where the friendly mechanic comes in). The Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in Central Africa and the only all-black orchestra in the world. 10% of the population of DRC are members of the Kimbanguist church. Over the past 16 years, the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra has played to increasing acclaim despite the challenges of the mega-city, the need to fashion its own uniforms and often its own instruments. It is the “Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra”. Bob Simon reports on the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra. The church follows Baptist practices and follows a strict set of ethics, which  prohibit alcohol, tobacco, and dancing. The orchestra is an offshoot of the Kimbanguist Church, which was founded by Diangienda's grandfather Simon Kimbangu, regarded as a prophet and a …