Moipei sisters' performance in US excites local music teachers

TEXAS: The Moipei sisters rocked the AT&T Dome in San Antonio Texas, US, as they performed the American National Anthem at the start of a National Basketball Association match.

They were performing "The Stars Spangled Banner" during a match between defending champions San Antonio Spurs and the LA Clippers with their live feeds splashed in mega screens across the dome.

And many Kenyans received the performance with excitement including at the ongoing national workshop for music teachers in Kisumu where the Vice Chancellor of Zetech University, Prof Edwin Wamukoya, said the girls were a symbol of national unity and positive values.

"You see the fact they are a product of this festival makes us all so proud," he told over 3,000 teachers in his presentation titled, "Consolidating Our National Values and Ideals through Music".

He said music encourages the blending of sport, culture, and education to help people to improve their own lives and those of all people everywhere.

"I am particularly impressed with the rendition and everything went according to the script," said Nicholas Moipei the father of Mary, Magdalene and Marta.

When the girls hit the high note when singing the second last line of the anthem, "And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave," the sold out crowd broke into a deafening applause.

In front of the trio, were american Marines standing still in attention with a huge American flag.

The performance was replayed via YouTube to the teachers who were openly impressed.

Speaking after chairing a session during the teachers workshop in Kisumu, Frank Etyang said the performance was big achievement.

"We were all so very elated when Lupita Nyong'o won the Oscars for her role in Steve McQueen's 12 Years A Slave, the Moipeis fete is an icing on the cake," he said.

The video of the Moipeis' performance on YouTube is trending with many congratulating the girls for the sterling performance.

"We are very happy and thank the crowd for a positive response. We have dreamed for an opportunity like this since we arrived here in Texas " said Mary from their house at St. Mary's University in San Antonio.

Speaking to The Standard by phone, Mary said the organisers had chosen the original version and they were keeping high fidelity to the vocal parts.

Before going to the US last September the Moipei Quartet were a regular appearance at the annual Kenya Music Festival.

The fact that Seraphine, the younger sister, is currently in India, with her mother Christine Moipei, did not dampen their spirits. Seraphine is recuperating at Health Care Global in Bangalore after undergoing a post-cancer treatment therapy.