Afro-centric

 

Contemporary

 

Go-Go

 

Gospel

 

Praise & Worship

  

U   M   O   J   A      D   O   N   O

D R U M    O R C H E S T R A

 

 

The Umoja Dono drum orchestra had very humble beginnings from the vision of Toni Peters, a long-time member of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement.  Toni saw that drumming with djembe drums, congas, and other percussion instruments could enhance the praising of God in the worship service.  She began with a small group of men, women, and children, not long after the founding of Unity Fellowship Church of Washington, DC in May of 2002.  She based the founding of the orchestra/ ministry on the 150^th Psalm, (praising the Lord with dancing and musical instruments).

 

Playing instruments during service helped to lift the worship, attracting the young and the Olkiama, (elders of the congregation) with the infusion of Afro-American gospel, contemporary gospel, and sometimes a touch of DC go-go and hip-hop.  This unusual mixture caught the ears of many visitors to the worship service.  They began to spread the word about this church band.

 

Umoja Dono has been called upon to participate in many church services of various denominations, such as Luther Place Memorial Churches in DC and Gaithersburg, MD; Metropolitan Community Churches in DC and Rehoboth Beach, DE; Faith Temple (DC); UFC Baltimore, MD; the DC Gay Pride Sunday worship service; and the 2009 DC Capital Pride Interfaith Service.  We have also opened for the Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry concert; united a drum circle at the 2009 SistahSpace Conference (DC); and we are proud to say that members from Umoja Dono were drumming in the streets of Washington, DC in celebration when Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election!

 

Umoja Dono has drummed for cookouts, family reunions, weddings, revivals, rites of passage ceremonies, Kwanzaa, and Black history events.  During the seven years of percussion praise, we have also accompanied UFCDC’s Agape Praise choir for fundraising concerts.  All proceeds donated to the orchestra are given to the building fund of UFCDC to acquire its own church building. 

 

The passion and excitement of Umoja Dono’s style attracts new members to this rhythmic communication of God’s word.  Although the baton has been passed to new leadership of Umoja Dono Ma, Jackie Cooke-Barnes, Umoja Dono is still growing, standing taller and shining brighter with God’s love all around us.  We play to make a joyful noise that will bring the word of God to all of God’s children. 

 

In 2009, we were proud to represent UFCDC in Los Angeles, CA, at BrightL.I.F.E., the talent showcase at the Unity Fellowship Church Movement Annual National Spiritual Convocation.  God is able. 

For the 2nd consecutive year, Umoja Dono will minister to the audience at the Verizon Center.  On August 13th, 2010, Umoja Dono featuring Pastor McCray, will deliver the National Anthem for an audience of thousands at the Washington Mystics vs. Minnesota Lynx WNBA basketball game.  Umoja Dono will receive a portion of the funds raised from ticket sales to this game.  PLUS, we’ll be jamming on the councourse during the game and during halftime, ministering to the passersby with African percussion and songs of praise.

 

UMOJA DONO would like to thank everyone who donates time, effort and money to our drum orchestra’s fundraisers and ministerial offerings.  Your support is truly a blessing.

For Umoja Dono Drum Orchestra information, please contact the Umoja Dono leaders:

Jacqueline Cooke (301) 641-3165

jacmarcoo54@msn.com

or

Chantay Harris  (410) 588-6525   charri4@hotmail.com

 

 

Please mail check/money order donations to:

Umoja Dono c/o UFCDC

PO Box 77294

Washington DC 20013