Premiering the composition from Zimbabwe of AMAXOXO (pronounced Ama-ko-ko) ” Song of the Frogs” by composer Alport Mhlanga arranged for South African Marimbas & Percussion by Randy Armstrong with orchestration by David Ervin
Narrative: Christmas in Zimbabwe is more than just a religious celebration—it’s a time when the whole country comes together. People from all walks of life join in the joy. Whether they live in the city or the rural areas (called kumusha), Zimbabweans prepare for this special time of year with excitement. Christmas is officially recognized as a public holiday in Zimbabwe. It brings together both Christians and non-Christians. While not everyone may celebrate in the same way, most Zimbabweans mark the occasion with gatherings, food, and joy. Family unity is a strong value in Zimbabwean culture, and Christmas is one of the best times to see this in action. It also takes place in the hot summer months with dancing & singing as part of the celebration.
Baba Mudiki is a traditional song that is about charitable giving. The song is an homage to the uncle, Baba Mudiki who takes care of the orphaned children in the village.
Amaxoxo “Song of the Frogs” (pronounced Amakoko) is a traditional Zimbabwe style marimba song that celebrates the natural world and mimics nature. The song begins with a recorded nature soundscape of a chorus frogs & birds along the Zambezi River with wooden frogs & sound effects. The South African marimbas have a trance style poly-rhythmic 12/8 pulse reflecting a chorus of frogs with the ostinato bass marimba imitating an African bullfrog. The Amaxoxo arrangement for orchestra has characteristic qualities of composers, Steve Reich & Philip Glass.
Sunday, December 20, 2026 3:00pm
Sunday, December 20, 2026 6:00pm
Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Dr, Portsmouth, NH
2026-2027 Concerts Series
More Events in This Series
