On 17 November 2012, the Stevenage Choral Society under the baton of Robin Osterley will give what is the 100th performance of Zimbe!, Alexander L'Estrange's enormously successful 40-minute African cantata.

Originally commissioned and premiered by the Dorking Choral Society in 2008, Zimbe! has galvanised community singing projects worldwide since its inception with performances in the UK, USA, Kenya, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and across Europe.  Many of the UK performances have taken place in some of the finest cathedrals and concert halls in the land, including the cathedrals of Ely, Winchester, Lichfield, Chichester, Hereford, St Davids, Arundel, Carlisle, Blackburn, Christ Church Cathedral Oxford, in addition to concert halls such as St John's Smith Square, Birmingham Town Hall and Snape Maltings.
 
Zimbe! is a vibrant sequence of twelve African and gospel songs, charting a day in the life of an African village.  There are simple children’s playground songs from Ghana and Zimbabwe, a Xhosa lullaby for mothers of the victims of Apartheid, a rousing drinking song, and music used on religious occasions.  L’Estrange has infused his unique arrangements with references to jazz, classical and ‘world’ music.  It provides an exciting new repertory piece for choral societies who may be looking for a follow-up to the world-influenced works of David Fanshawe and Karl Jenkins.  The addition of the children’s choir enables choirs to forge, or renew, relationships with local school choirs.

Find out more at the dedicated Zimbe! website.