Top Africa orchestra began with brake cables for strings

When Armand Diangienda founded the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra—one of the most famous in Africa—in 1994, the orchestra had so few instruments that musicians had to share. They got to play them for only 15 minutes before handing them on to the next person. "When a string broke, we would replace it with bicycle (brake) cables," he told AFP.

With the Democratic Republic of Congo at war and in chaos for most of the orchestra's first decade, it had to mend and make do with the poor-quality instruments it could find. "We didn't know how to buy a violin, we didn't know how to buy a string," Diangienda said. "So when a violin broke, we had to repair it." But "we were motivated."

The orchestra, which began with a ragtag band of around a dozen string musicians, has since become a trailblazer for classical music in Africa and has fans worldwide. "At the beginning, it was just a dream," Diangienda told AFP from a studio in its Kinshasa headquarters as musicians tuned up outside. The orchestra now boasts 200 highly accomplished members, including a choir.

Real learning curve

However, at the beginning, not everyone knew how to read music, and the group had just a few instruments between them. "It was a real learning curve," Diangienda said. Their instruments were in poor condition—the hot and humid climate did not help —and there was little money. But by 1999, everyone had their instrument picked up here and there. The idea for the orchestra was born in 1985 when Diangienda's father, Joseph, asked him to gather different musical groups from within the Kimbanguist church.

Armand Diangienda (C), founder of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, conducts at a rehearsal the Kimbanguist Symphony School in Kinshasa on October 16, 2024.AFP

The religious movement—which is said to have millions of members in the DRC—was founded in 1921 by Diangienda's grandfather, a visionary whose followers believe he was Jesus Christ's special envoy on Earth. The orchestra gave its first concert almost 30 years ago, in December 1994.

Since its humble beginnings, it has played in countries worldwide, including Germany and the United States, and has met celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Lionel Richie. It has also collaborated with other groups, including Germany's Tuebingen Chamber Orchestra, and regularly has international soloists play with it. Its Conservatory of Music in Kinshasa is now home to a school for young people to learn to read and play music.

Persistence pays

However, teaching musicians was not always seamless, and many joined without musical knowledge. Pauleth Masamba, 43, joined the year the orchestra was founded, wanting to play the cello but accidentally mixing up its name with the violin— two similar French words. But as the orchestra grew, so did her love for her instrument. "I bring it everywhere. Even on a personal errand, I go with my violin. It's my loyal friend," she said, holding the instrument as she talked.

Armand Diangienda (C), founder of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, conducts at a rehearsal the Kimbanguist Symphony School in Kinshasa on October 16, 2024.AFP

Two years after the orchestra began, the DRC was plunged into the First Congo War, which saw dictator Mobutu Sese Seko ousted, and then the longer and even more bloody Second Congo War from 1998 to 2003. But it has still become one of the continent's leading classical music institutions.

Dauphine Mata, a 33-year-old violinist who joined at 19, hailed it for introducing classical music to the country and continent. "Before (becoming famous), we had a small fan base; people weren't interested in the music," she said. "Now we are on the stage, and more people appreciate it," she added. But no one is more proud of their work than Diangienda. "We were patient and we persevered, we always fought for our dreams," he said.