"But we're just an iceberg on stage--just the tip--a lot of personal and group agony is all behind the scenes and it's going to take much more of that kind of unseen work because we are striving to make Kuumbas an institution," declares Ingraham.

But besides the usual financial problems besetting such venturesome attempts, the Kuumbas have trouble being accepted in their own community.

"Black people on campus don't understand the significance of the Kuumbas," Graham says. "It's paradoxical that we are more accepted away from home than at Harvard. We get apathy from the black students and a lack of supporters, even though we are the only consistent black cultural group here at Harvard.

"We got overwhelming responses from audiences wherever we performed. Everyone wants us back next year. We have been offered assistance to tour Africa. Europe and East Asia. People who hear us are so moved they are willing to make generous offers.

"But then it's so frustrating when you come home and can't get financial assistance to even buy an organ."

Frustrations not withstanding, the Kuumbas are thrilling to watch as well as hear when they are onstage. In last week's performance at Burden Hall at the Business school the singers captivated a crowd of over 300 people. Clad in a flowing white choral robe and white slacks, and topped by his shiny black Afro, Ingraham and the dashiki and and Afro-garbed choir exuded a contagious joy and enthusiasm in their singing. The audience forgot its own troubles for three hours and stood up and clapped and chanted and shouted amen and hallelujah with the Kuumbas. Despite the hard work, lack of support and other problems, Walters's evaluation of the group's growth seemed quite appropriate: "They still make beautiful music and that's what it's all about."