Rwanda’s Chorale de Kigali will celebrate six decades of music-making with its annual Christmas Carols concert at Camp Kigali on December 20, 2026.
The concert will combine the choir’s annual Christmas programme with celebrations marking 60 years since its founding in 1966.
Chorale de Kigali was established by musicians with training from seminaries and other music institutions. Its early members included Saulve Iyamuremye, Matayo Ngirumpatse, Paulin Muswahili, Selesitini Nkaka, Heneriko Nzajyibwami and Sitanisilasi Karangwa.
The choir initially admitted only men but opened membership to women in 1987, the same year it obtained legal personality. Its legal status was renewed in 2011.
Its history includes performances at several major religious and national events. In June 1978, it performed during celebrations marking Bishop Aloys Bigirumwami’s 50th anniversary as a priest and 25th anniversary as a bishop.
In September 1990, the choir was selected by Rwanda’s Catholic bishops to perform during a Mass led by Pope John Paul II at Nyandungu during his visit to the country. More than one million people attended the Mass, according to the choir’s history.
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi severely disrupted the choir. Several members were killed, while others fled Rwanda. Remaining members later regrouped and rebuilt the organisation.
Chorale de Kigali has since continued its musical activities and now has more than 150 members.
The December concert will bring together the choir’s Christmas tradition and its anniversary celebrations as it marks 60 years since it was established.
