This multimedia installation is based on The African Choir, who toured England and the USA between 1891 - 1893. An ensemble from various mission stations and church choirs of the Eastern Cape, their concert repertoire was divided into two halves: a selection of well known black African songs by leading South African composers of the time, followed by Christian hymns alongside popular opera choruses. They performed to great acclaim to large audiences, including before Queen Victoria in the summer of 1891. The choir’s performances were never recorded, however written documentation has survived. Working with fourteen singers in a series of collaborative improvisation workshops in Cape Town in 2015, Miller and Sibisi have reimagined and arranged songs from The African Choir’s original repertoire. The photographic portraits were rediscovered in London in 2014 at the Hulton Archive, a division of Getty Images, and first exhibited as part of Black Chronicles II. Recorded by Murray Anderson and Jethro Harris at Milestone Studios, Cape Town. Mixed by Jethro Harris and mastered by Murray Anderson. *Footstomp mixed
 by Gavan Eckhart at Soul Fire Studios. Songs © Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi. Multi-media gallery installation curated by Renée Mussai of Autograph ABP. Published by Autograph ABP and Tshisha Boys, London/Cape Town 2017. Special Thanks to Tamar Garb. Vocal Collaborators: Lebohang Banda - Soprano Thozamo Mdliva - Soprano Portia Shwana - Soprano Noluthando Mili - Mezzo Noluthando Sishuba - Mezzo Andiswa Nginingini - Mezzo Siyabulela Michael Gqola - Tenor Ndumiso Manana - Tenor Thamsanqa Mtshamba - Tenor Akhona Dudumashe - Baritone Sifiso Nicholas Lupuzi - Baritone Boikhutso Owen Metsileng - Baritone Bulelani David Madondile - Bass Lwanga Lennox Mgqatsa - Bass Lubabalo Velebayi - Bass