Building Harmony: The Diverse Voices Behind The Chorus Abuja
Meet the remarkable individuals who make up The Chorus Abuja - from engineers to doctors, lawyers to teachers, all united by their love for choral excellence.
Building Harmony: The Diverse Voices Behind The Chorus Abuja
What happens when you bring together a software engineer, a medical doctor, a lawyer, a data analyst, and a fashion designer? If they all share a passion for choral music, you get The Chorus Abuja – a remarkable ensemble that proves great music emerges from the intersection of diverse talents and shared commitment.
More Than Just Voices
The Chorus Abuja's strength lies not just in individual vocal abilities but in the rich tapestry of professional experiences, perspectives, and life stories that each member brings to the ensemble.
The Professional Mix
Our members represent an impressive cross-section of Nigerian professional life:
Healthcare Professionals: Rose Ozien Nwachi anchors our soprano section while maintaining her pharmaceutical practice, bringing the same precision and care to music that she applies to dispensing medications.
Technology Leaders: Emmanuel Oghenemaga combines his data analytic expertise with bass vocals, demonstrating how analytical thinking enhances musical interpretation.
Skilled Engineers: Budubueze Ozuru applies his engineering and technical skills to thoroughly analyse the detailed structure of the score and interprets it to produce the best in choral performance.
Business Leaders: From data analysts like Kenneth Elekwachi to administrators and entrepreneurs, our members understand how organisational skills serve artistic goals.
Creative Professionals: Fashion designers, storytellers, and artists bring aesthetic sensitivity that enriches our collective musical interpretation.
Unity in Diversity
What unites these diverse professionals? A shared recognition that excellence in any field requires similar fundamental qualities:
Discipline and Preparation
Whether preparing for surgery, a court appearance, or a software launch, excellence demands rigorous preparation. This same discipline applies to learning complex choral repertoire.
"My biochemistry training taught me that there are no shortcuts to competence," says Chidera Nnam. "The same is true in music – you have to put in the work, measure by measure, phrase by phrase."
Collaborative Achievement
Modern professional work increasingly requires collaboration across specialities. Choral music takes this to the highest level – individual excellence serving collective beauty.
Continuous Learning
In rapidly changing professional fields, success requires lifelong learning. Classical choral music offers endless opportunities for growth and discovery.
Precision Under Pressure
Professional responsibilities often involve high-stakes situations requiring calm performance under pressure. Live musical performance develops these same qualities in a different context.
Sectional Profiles
Each voice section of The Chorus Abuja brings its own character and professional diversity:
Soprano Section: Rising Above
Our soprano section combines power with precision, led by voices that soar both literally and figuratively:
Nengomonyu Susan Okara combines the grounded discipline of geology with the expressive range of a soprano. Her understanding of foundations and formations translates into a firm yet fluid vocal technique that anchors the ensemble’s sound.
Zigwai Ezra brings the clarity and insight of an educator to her soprano singing. Her experience in guiding and inspiring learners translates into expressive storytelling and a communicative presence in every performance.
Whyte Joseph Ezekiel combines his expertise in server management with his countertenor performance. His attention to detail and technical discipline ensures every note is delivered with clarity and balance.
Alto Section: The Foundation
The alto section provides harmonic foundation with voices as warm and reliable as their professional contributions to society:
Ngozi Owutu brings the empathy and attentiveness of a customer care professional to her alto singing. Her experience in listening and responding to others enhances her expressive phrasing and connection with the audience.
Biebele Friday Eretoru brings creative perspective from fashion design, understanding how individual elements combine to create unified aesthetic impact.
Amarachi Okpara offers the steady reliability that anchors both professional teams and musical ensembles.
Tenor Section: Carrying the Line
Our tenor section carries melodic responsibilities with the same leadership they demonstrate in their professional lives:
Victor Ifenwanta applies the meticulous planning and precision of quantity surveying to his tenor singing. His analytical eye for measurements and structure informs the careful phrasing and balance in every performance.
Raphael Ipalibo applies storytelling and planning expertise to help the ensemble communicate musical narratives effectively.
Bass Section: The Foundation
The bass section provides both musical and organisational foundation, anchored by professionals who understand structure and stability:
Chukwuka Ozomata brings professional precision to the exact pitch and timing requirements of complex classical works.
Isaac Oburu contributes quiet strength and reliability – qualities essential both in professional settings and in anchoring choral harmony.
Pere Michael Ikputu and others round out a section that combines individual excellence with collective responsibility.
The Accompanist Partnership
Kenneth Elekwachi, Seyi Aiynde and Iheanyi Owutu represent the essential partnership between vocalists and instrumentalists. As accomplished pianists and data professionals, they understand both the analytical and expressive dimensions of musical collaboration.
Beyond the Day Jobs
What's remarkable about our members isn't just their professional diversity, but how their non-musical careers enhance rather than compete with their musical contributions:
Skills Transfer
- Analytical thinking (engineers, biochemists, analysts) enhances musical interpretation
- Communication skills (pastors, teachers, administrators) improve ensemble coordination
- Project management (business professionals) supports concert preparation
- Creative thinking (artists, designers) enriches interpretive possibilities
Perspective Broadening
Different professional experiences bring varied approaches to common musical challenges, creating richer collective solutions.
Network Effects
Our members' diverse professional networks help The Chorus Abuja connect with broader community audiences and resources.
Building Community Through Difference
The Chorus Abuja proves that diversity strengthens rather than complicates artistic achievement. Our members' different backgrounds create:
Enhanced Problem-Solving
When musical challenges arise, we can draw on varied professional experiences to find solutions.
Broader Community Connection
Our diverse membership helps us reach audiences across professional and social boundaries.
Mutual Learning
Members learn from each other's expertise, creating personal growth opportunities beyond music.
Resilient Leadership
No single professional background dominates our ensemble culture, creating space for different leadership styles and approaches.
The Rehearsal as Workplace
For many of our members, Sunday evening rehearsals provide a refreshing contrast to their weekday professional responsibilities:
"After a day immersed in numbers and business strategy, performing in the choir feeds my creative side," explains Margret Eyidenghan Oriepeigha. "The precision and analytical mindset from my accounting work surprisingly enhances how I approach each musical phrase."
Looking Forward Together
As The Chorus Abuja continues to grow, we remain committed to maintaining our diversity while deepening our musical excellence. Future goals include:
- Mentorship programs connecting experienced professionals with emerging musicians
- Community workshops sharing musical skills across professional boundaries
- Collaborative projects with other Nigerian cultural organisations
- International exchanges showcasing Nigerian professional and artistic excellence
Join Our Professional Musical Family
The Chorus Abuja welcomes new members who share our commitment to excellence, regardless of professional background. We believe that great choral music emerges from the intersection of individual skill, collective dedication, and diverse perspective.
Whether you're a student, young professional, or seasoned expert in your field, there's a place for your voice in our ensemble. We audition new members twice yearly and provide ongoing musical training to help everyone reach their potential.
Great music doesn't require leaving your professional identity behind – it invites you to bring your whole self to the service of something beautiful.
Contact us to learn about audition opportunities and upcoming performances. The Chorus Abuja: where professional excellence meets musical passion.