Maxine Myers, Voice Writer

A KENYAN choir is flying high after signing a recording deal with one of the largest record companies in the industry, Universal Music.

The Boys Choir of Kenya sealed the deal in the transit lounge at London's Heathrow Airport on their way back from Washington DC where they had performed as part of United States president Barack Obama's inauguration celebration.

"I feel so great, the boys are excited. This is what every artiste would wish to have," delighted choir member Joseph Muyale told The Voice.

"We begun from very humble beginnings, so to get to this level we are so humbled and all we have to do is thank God for making our dream come true."

The choir was invited by organisers of Obama's celebration to perform at the event and was the only international choir to take part.

"It means so much to us to have witnessed the making of history. President Obama also has roots in Kenya and we want to congratulate our brother and also wish him well in the task set ahead of him," Muyale said.

Performance

The choir's performance caught the attention of Universal Music's artiste and repertoire manager, Tom Lewis, after he watched a clip of them on video-sharing website YouTube.

Within 48 hours he had finalised a contract and gone to meet them when they transferred in London between Washington and Nairobi.

"The choir has already taken the US by storm. Their sound is amazing. When I saw them on YouTube I knew they could light up the world," Lewis explained.

The choir performs a wide-ranging repertoire, from traditional Massai and Samburu chants to contemporary pieces from around Africa.

When not singing, Muyale said the choir is heavily involved in community work in Kenya.

"Giving back to the community is good since it is a manifest of caring for the less privileged. This gives them hope and reason to live," he explained.

The choir will soon begin recording material for their debut album and Muyale is excited about the future.

"Living up to people's expectations is really challenging. We hope we can," he said.