I am a culture bearer. Born to Kenyan parents of the Kikuyu tribe, I grew up with direct access to the lived traditions, stories, and practices of my culture. Only in the last decade have I fully come to understand the privilege—and responsibility—of representing, preserving, and passing along this heritage through music.
As musicians, we are privileged to experience the beauty of music from many corners of the world. Globalization, technology, and, most importantly, the collaborative efforts of composers, conductors, publishers, and culture bearers have made this possible. With that privilege comes responsibility. It is not enough to “sample” the music of another culture without context. One of the greatest gifts we can give our choirs—and one of the most impactful ways we can support authenticity and sustainability—is by selecting properly researched and responsibly sourced choral literature.
When we choose music born out of genuine partnership with culture bearers, we offer our singers more than notes on a page—we invite them into stories, rhythms, and traditions that carry real history and meaning. Below are a few examples of such repertoire, many of which will be featured in the African Choral Music Immersion Choir at the ACDA Eastern Region Envision Conference in 2026:
- Reconcile – Kyle Pederson (with Kenyan conductor Ken Wakia). A thoughtful collaboration that respects the Swahili text and its place within the song’s unifying message.
- Wana Baraka – arr. Shawn Kirchner. Inspired by time spent in Kenya, Kirchner’s setting reflects the rhythmic vitality and spiritual joy of the original song.
- Ndandihleli – arr. Charlotte Botha. A South African piece that includes optional choreography, preserving the movement that is integral to its cultural identity.
- Kingli – arr. Stacey V. Gibbs (with Ken Wakia). Commissioned by the Nairobi Chamber Chorus for ACDA 2019, this arrangement emerged from direct collaboration to ensure cultural and artistic integrity.
These pieces demonstrate what is possible when music is created with care: authentic artistry rooted in respect for cultural memory.
As conductors, we are more than teachers of notes and rhythms—we are interpreters of culture. Every programming choice has the power either to honor a tradition or to reduce it to novelty. When we select multicultural works, curiosity and research must guide us. It is not enough to pick a piece because it “sounds global” or fills out a concert theme. We must dig deeper: seek out culture bearers, study traditions with humility, and ask whether the work we choose honors the people, language, experience, and history it represents.
In doing so, we model for our singers what it means to be lifelong learners, ethical artists, and responsible global citizens. Let us rise to this challenge. Let us ensure that our choirs are not only ensembles of voices, but also stewards of the world’s living musical heritage.
Lulu Mwangi Mupfumbu is an assistant professor of music at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she conducts the Camerata Chamber Choir and teaches music education and conducting courses, and she serves ACDA East as the R & R Chair for Global Music and Culture. She holds a master’s in conducting from Ohio State University and a BME from Atlantic Union College. Her passion lies in blending excellence in music education and performance with service to humanity. Beyond the classroom, she is active as a guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, presenter, singer, and author, both locally and internationally. An award-winning conductor, her ensembles have performed on five continents, received numerous accolades, including five medals at the World Choir Games, and been featured at ACDA regional and national conferences. Her groups have also performed at prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and The White House. Mwangi Mupfumbu is dedicated to instilling a deep love for the arts in her students and encouraging them to use their talents to serve others. She’s married to Tanyaradzwa Mupfumbu and together they have two children: Nakai and Itai.