The Kenyan orchestra Ghetto Classics was named by its own members, young musicians who live in the community of Korogocho.
Located next to Nairobi's largest garbage dump, Korogocho is considered one of the most dangerous communities in Kenya's capital.
In a new book published by Mission Point Press, journalist Ginanne Brownell tells the story of the musicians of Ghetto Classics.
The orchestra began in 2008 under the guidance of founder Elizabeth Njoroge and has grown into a semi-professional organization that has given concerts for the Pope, an American President and a Belgian Queen.
Ghetto Classics has also performed with famous classical and jazz musicians including Branford Marsalis and Marcus Miller.
The orchestra, Brownell writes, has brought educational, developmental and societal change within the Korogocho community as well as in other communities where the Ghetto Classics program has expanded.
Join Interlochen Public Radio on Wednesday, May 31 at 6 p.m. for music director Amanda Sewell's virtual conversation with Brownell about her book celebrating this remarkable orchestra.
The event will last approximately one hour, with time for questions at the end.
Register for this free virtual event HERE.
The conversation will be recorded and made available after the event for those unable to attend live.
About Ginanne Brownell
Ginanne Brownell is a London-based American journalist who has written extensively on education, development, travel, and the arts. She has worked on staff for CNN, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and UNICEF.
Her writing has been published in outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Financial Times, Scientific American, Condé Nast Traveller, and National Public Radio. Born and raised in Michigan, she has a BA from Albion College and a MSc in history from the London School of Economics.
The book is based on the author’s 2016 New York Times profile of the orchestra’s founder, Elizabeth Njoroge.