Kinshasa Symphony: Central Africa’s Only Symphony Orchestra

The Takeaway

Orchestras everywhere are struggling to stay afloat, but the challenges for the only symphony orchestra in Central Africa were different than those faced by Western musical groups. A new documentary film “Kinshasa Symphony” depicting the genesis and survival of the Kinshasa Symphony Orchestra, which was set up during the 1998-2003 Congolese war, is playing this week at the New York African Film Festival.  The Takeaway’s Special Correspondent Femi Oke talks about the film and brings us details from some of its founders. Watch a preview for the film:

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