Music and Nature

The Acacia Trio is a professional music ensemble based in Nairobi, Kenya. Its members are Cirũ James (soprano), Philip Maina (clarinet) and Michael James (piano).

The  Acacia Trio plays an engaging and eclectic mix of classical, jazz and Popular music. Some of its repertoire is familiar and well-loved; other pieces are less well-known, but all of the music is performed with an enjoyable sense of style. Much of the music we’ve chosen to perform today has been inspired in some way by nature. As you listen to the music we hope that you will sense humanity’s interbeing with the natural world.

The event will begin *promptly* at 3pm, with a brief interval halfway. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase.

TICKETS:
To confirm your ticket:
Paybill 522522
Account: 6314808
Amount: 2,500/- per person

About the Trio:
Cirũ James (soprano) studied singing and piano at the Guildhall School of Music in London. She has an MMus from the Mannes College of Music in New York and has experience in singing a wide variety of opera, oratorio and concert repertoire.

For many years, Cirũ taught Music and Performing Arts at secondary school level in the U.K. Since returning to Kenya, Cirũ has worked as vocal coach in several musical projects. Her role as Vocal Instructor for Baraka Opera Trust’s Kenyan opera, Nyanga: Runaway Grandmother, gave her a unique opportunity to vocally train a diverse cast of up-and-coming, Kenyan classical singers, many of whom were performing opera for the very first time. More recently, she has collaborated with other voice professionals to offer workshops on Singing Auditioning Techniques. Ciru is currently leading rehearsals for the Nairobi Music Society Choir as they prepare for their performance of Beethoven’s magnificent Choral Symphony in June. Cirũ is delighted to be performing concert repertoire once again, as she finds this genre especially fulfilling!

Philip Maina (clarinet) is a clarinet and woodwind professional performing and teaching in the Nairobi area. He has been teaching clarinet and saxophone for the past nine years and has performed in several events, including Baraka Opera Trust’s opera Nyanga: Runaway Grandmother in October 2021. He has also been an active member of the Nairobi orchestral scene, playing in several concerts for the Nairobi Orchestra and the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra over the past decade.

Philip is also a conductor and composer, having served as the Principal Conductor for the Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra from December 2016 to December 2019. He is currently working with the Conservatoire Wind Band as conductor. Philip has a great reverence for orchestral music and for playing the clarinet and hopes to pass on his passion through his performances.

Michael James (piano) studied Music in the UK and then moved to Nairobi in the 80s where he taught at Starehe Boys’ Centre and at The International School of Kenya.

While in Kenya Michael was involved with the Nairobi Music Society, performing and conducting several works for them, including Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and Beauty, an operetta that he had composed. Michael returned to the UK and taught Music at Secondary and Sixth-Form level while also continuing to perform and to compose extensively for the stage. Michael is now back living again in Nairobi and is involved with Nairobi Music Society, Nairobi Orchestra and with Baraka Opera Kenya, for whom he recently conducted the opera Amahl and The Night Visitors.

At the moment he is composing the incidental music to The French Lieutenant’s Woman, a play being staged in the UK in July and August.