By
Anna Lapwood
Cambridge
Chrispin is an engineer working in Zambia who taught himself to sing through watching YouTube videos of Pavarotti. We want to help him share his singing with the world and make sure he's doing it as well as he can! Pembroke College will be hosting him in Cambridge for a week in April, and we want to use that time for him to have singing lessons with some of the best singing teachers in the country.
We first met Chrispin two years ago when the Chapel Choir spent three weeks in Zambia, singing and leading workshops. We had just finished a concert and were singing through some music for fun when Chrispin came up behind us, read over our shoulders and started singing some Byrd with us. The entire Choir was astounded by his voice, and he was soon entertaining us with a varied recital of Mendelssohn, Bach, and best of all, Puccini.
I was reunited with Chrispin on my trip to Zambia last year; he came along to a concert we were doing, and agreed to sing the Puccini at the end to an audience of expats. I explained to the audience that we were hoping to fly him over for lessons, and a very kind audience member offered to pay for the flights! Being able to go up to Chrispin at the end of the concert and say 'you're coming to England' was extremely moving, with tears all round.
"This is indeed a dream come true for me and a huge opportunity that I have been given. It is sometimes hard to find the words to express myself as I am overwhelmed with so much joy. I am filled with a heart full of gratitude and I say thank you very much for what you are doing for me, and my country and the future of Zambian music"
We want to make his time here as special as possible, and are arranging for him to go to concerts, experience choral services in Cambridge, but most importantly, receive some intense singing tuition from some of the best teachers in the country.
Follow Chrispin's journey at https://www.facebook.com/pembrokechoir/, or find us on twitter and instagram @pembrokechoir
Anna Lapwood and the Pembroke College Choir.
Select this reward if you just want to donate to the project without receiving a reward.
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Daily email updates over the course of Chrispin's trip, including photos and videos
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Estimated delivery: 1 April 2019
Daily video diary updates from Chrispin during his trip.
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Estimated delivery: 1 April 2019
Free tickets to hear Chrispin sing with the Choir of Pembroke College at St Martin in the Fields, London on the 27th April.
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Estimated delivery: 1 April 2019
An invitation to meet Chrispin and hear him give a recital at Pembroke College on the 28th April.
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Estimated delivery: 1 April 2019