Our story
What began as a gathering of a few church choirs has become East Africa's most anticipated festival of hymnody.
Always sing to the Lord.
The International Hymn Festival exists to raise the standard of church music across East Africa — to teach choirs to read, to blend, to phrase, and to sing the great inheritance of hymn, psalm and anthem with understanding.
Each year the festival moves to a new host church and city. The Founder holds the vision and invites adjudicators of international standing; a Hosting Director, appointed for that edition, carries the local logistics. Choirs come from across the region to compete, to learn, and — on the final day — to sing together as one massed choir.
The globe, the cross and the motto — the church singing to the ends of the earth.
Four things the festival is for
Raise the standard
Adjudication with written comment turns a competition into a national music lesson.
Serve the church
Better choirs make better worship in every parish that takes part.
Unite the region
Choirs from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan meet, compete and become friends.
Keep the organ alive
Training and platforming organists so the pipes keep sounding.
12 editions and counting
“Sing Unto the Lord”
All Saints' Cathedral — Nairobi, Kenya · 12 choirs
The 1st edition, hosted at All Saints' Cathedral, Nairobi.
View edition“O Worship the King”
St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe — Kampala, Uganda · 16 choirs
The 2nd edition, hosted at St. Paul's Cathedral Namirembe, Kampala.
View edition“Holy, Holy, Holy”
ACK St. Thomas Cathedral — Kerugoya, Kenya · 19 choirs
The 3rd edition, hosted at ACK St. Thomas Cathedral, Kerugoya.
View edition“Christ Our Cornerstone”
St. James' Cathedral — Jinja, Uganda · 23 choirs
The 4th edition, hosted at St. James' Cathedral, Jinja.
View edition“Let All the Earth”
ACK Christ Church Cathedral — Kakamega, Kenya · 26 choirs
The 5th edition, hosted at ACK Christ Church Cathedral, Kakamega.
View edition“Abide With Me”
St. Peter's Cathedral — Soroti, Uganda · 28 choirs
The 6th edition, hosted at St. Peter's Cathedral, Soroti.
View edition“The Lord Is My Light”
ACK St. Crispin's Cathedral — Bungoma, Kenya · 30 choirs
The 7th edition, hosted at ACK St. Crispin's Cathedral, Bungoma.
View edition“Rejoice, the Lord Is King”
Boroboro Cathedral — Lira, Uganda · 34 choirs
The 8th edition, hosted at Boroboro Cathedral, Lira.
View edition“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
ACK Proto Cathedral — Voi, Kenya · 38 choirs
The 9th edition, hosted at ACK Proto Cathedral, Voi.
View edition“Praise, My Soul”
St. Matthew's Cathedral — Masindi, Uganda · 43 choirs
The 10th edition, hosted at St. Matthew's Cathedral, Masindi.
View edition“King of Glory”
ACK Mombasa Memorial Cathedral — Mombasa, Kenya · 46 choirs
The 11th edition, hosted at ACK Mombasa Memorial Cathedral, Mombasa.
View edition“Semper Cantate Domino”
Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd — Nakuru, Kenya · 50 choirs · Current
The 12th edition, hosted at Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Nakuru.
View edition
When we began in 2014, the dream was simple: that the great hymns of the Church would be sung well, and sung together, by choirs who had never shared a platform before.
We are a festival of the Church. The organ leads us, the adjudicators hold us to a standard, and the trophies are given by ordinary people who believe this music matters. Every year a different cathedral opens its doors, and every year the singing gets better.
Whether your choir is large or small, from Kenya or Uganda, Tanzania or South Sudan — there is a place for you here. Come and sing.
James Otieno
Founder