By Emmanuel Esomnofu
On June 18, 2023, The Harmonic Ensemble Nigeria (THEN) staged its 4th Annual Concert at the Eagle Class Events Center on Refinery Road, Ekpan, Delta State. The ensemble, founded in 2018 by School Jude and Peter Ariama, has built itself into a cultural force, moving from its debut concert of 500 attendees to drawing nearly a thousand this year. Under the direction of conductor and music director Alex Mbaotu, THEN has become known across Nigeria for blending classical choral works, Nigerian gospel, African hymns, and contemporary arrangements into performances that feel both timeless and immediate.
The concert featured a sweeping setlist that included the compositions of Handel, John Rutter and Asa amongst others. But much of the night’s heart belonged to soprano Annabel Joseph Ojoboh, whose performances lifted the event from memorable to unforgettable.
One of the evening’s defining moments was her duet performance of The Circle of Life which showcased her collaborative spirit. The piece, with its soaring melodies and intricate harmonies, unfolded like a conversation about unity and interconnectedness. Singing alongside her partner Maria, Annabel matched precision with emotion, weaving her voice into a performance that felt bigger than either of them alone. The synergy between the two was magnetic, a reminder of how music can dissolve boundaries and turn individual voices into one harmonious whole. The audience, visibly moved, answered with enthusiasm and applause that seemed to last as long as the final note. Annabel’s performances embodied what makes THEN special.
Annabel once again moved the audience with her solo performance of Don’t Cry for me Argentina by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The piece, selected for its emotional depth, became less a display of technique and more a vessel for storytelling. Annabel’s delivery was luminous, her control unshakable, but what made the performance stand out was the way she layered vulnerability into every note. The audience responded in kind, listening in near silence, then breaking into warm and appreciative applause. It was not just a singer showing what she could do. It was an artist reaching across the stage to share a story and, in doing so, connecting on a deeply human level.
Since its founding, the ensemble has balanced the grandeur of Western choral traditions with the pulse of Nigerian culture, performing at concerts, churches, and community events. With Mbaotu’s direction emphasizing both technical discipline and cultural relevance, THEN has become a beacon for the region’s music scene. But it is artists like Annabel who give that vision its most powerful expression, proving that within a collective, individual brilliance can still shine.
For Annabel Joseph Ojoboh, the 4th Annual Concert was more than another date on the calendar. It was a moment to stand at the center of a legacy, to contribute her voice to an ensemble dedicated to excellence, and to show an audience how music can be both personal and universal. As the applause rang through the Eagle Class Events Center, it was clear she had done more than perform. She had left a mark, one that would live in the memory of those who were there long after the final chord.
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