The 2023 cohort of the world’s oldest a capella group, the Yale Whiffenpoofs, is now ready to control the stage in Nairobi.
Led by Kenyan Waruguru Kibuga, the team is set for its main performance which is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Sarit Expo Center, in Westlands.
The singing group is on a mission to visit and perform in over 17 countries this year, and Kenya is lucky to be one of the countries, especially with Waruguru being the first Kenyan woman to be a member of the Whiffs since 2018 when the group started admitting women.
So far, the group has visited seven countries including Colombia, Brazil, London, France, Norway, Sweden and Kenya.
“Please come through on Saturday 7:00 pm at the Sarit Expo Center. I’m really happy to show Kenyans what I’ve been doing. Music is such an important part of my life and important part of my family and I’d love to share that with Kenyans,” Waruguru has rallied Kenyans.
The Whiffs are ready!
After landing in the country on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the 14-member team embarked on a jaunt starting with a visit to the famous Karunguru coffee farm on Wednesday.
They later performed at Peponi school in Nairobi.
On Thursday, the singers travelled to Tsavo National Park at the Coast ahead of their private performance set for Muthaiga Golf Club on Friday June 23.
On Saturday, doors will open at 7:00 pm for Kenyans to enjoy the thrilling songs by the group at Sarit Center’s Arabuko Hall, an event whose tickets traded at Ksh3000 (VIP), KSH1500 (regular) and Ksh1000 (student/child).
The Whiffs are expected to go all out to showcase to the younger generation what music and creative talents can do.
Personally, Waruguru who is also the Whiffs’ Assistant Business Manager, is honoured to be part of the team and to bring her colleagues ‘home.’
“Having the opportunity to bring the Whiffenpoofs home makes me look back at the countless hours of practice, weekly lessons and innumerable performances as the most incredible blessing. I cannot thank the people who encouraged, supported and rooted for me enough. At school and at home, I was not only able to realize my academic potential, but I was given the chance to pursue any interest or passion that I had.
“This year, I have had the opportunity to perform for heads of state, to sing in breathtaking concert halls and to travel the world in the most unique way. After visiting all of these incredible places I am now more than excited to finally bring the whiffenpoofs home to Kenya.
“This year, so far, I have visited over 15 states across the US and by the end of August we will have visited over 17 different countries and countless cities across the globe.
“No destination is more special to me, however, than home. The Whiffs make a unique promise to each member- to visit and perform at their hometown. It gives us the opportunity to get to know our fellow colleagues in such a personal and intimate way, as well as understand their story and showcase their achievements in the group.
Special thanks to mom
“For me, singing is how I connect myself with home when I am abroad. I was lucky to come from a family full of incredibly talented singers and musicians and now I have been able to find a family at school through singing. I want to especially thank my mom, who unfortunately is not with us, but who is the bedrock of everything I have been able to achieve,” a happy and emotional Waruguru has explained.
She attributes the achievements to her family and teachers.
“I was lucky to have family and teachers that supported my music. Not only could I pursue my academic interests to the highest degree but none of my pursuits were denied. Even though my mom cannot be with me, she is the bedrock of everything I have been able to do. We are a singing family and I was able to find a family abroad through singing,” she said.
Founded in 1909, the Whiffenpoofs are the world’s oldest and most storied collegiate a cappella group. Each year, 14 seniors take leave from being students at Yale University and commit a year to traveling the world and touring as professional musicians.
