Hamba Lulu (Zambia) - arr. Mike Brewer

As part of their “Voices of Innocence - wonder • hope • joy“ concert set, The Vocal Art Ensemble of Davis, CA presented “Hamba Lulu“, a traditional Zambian work arranged by Mike Brewer. This concert set highlighted the children of multiple VAE singers. This finale had the children all running up to greet their parents and join in on this joyful song. The piece is about a girl named Lulu, about to embark on a new chapter of her life as she is married. Poor Lulu is subjected to a barrage of advice from her elders, most of which makes no sense to her (and for good reason, as the words in the song do NOT make any actual sense). It was fitting for our finale about childhood experiences, as Lulu needs to pave her own path in the world, so must each of us in turn as we leave childhood behind.