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"60 Minutes" preview: Africa's unlikely orchestra

(CBS News) - Music played by an unlikely symphony orchestra, based in central Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo, recently brought a tear to the eye of veteran "60 Minutes" correspondent Bob Simon.

Describing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," played by the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra, on "CBS This Morning" Friday, Simon said, "Listen, we've been around. We're fairly jaded. But that brought us all to tears."

Music in the heart of the Congo

Simon was previewing his upcoming "60 Minutes" report "Joy in the Congo." The Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in central Africa, and the only all-black orchestra in the world. Its 200 volunteer musicians and vocalists practice six days a week and play regularly in a rented warehouse in Kinshasa.

Armand Diangienda was a commercial pilot who lost his job in 1992 when his airline folded. He taught himself music and several instruments and, after recruiting a few members of his church, he had the beginnings of the orchestra of his dreams. It grew over the years, but its story remained in Congo until a German documentary in 2010 led to donations of instruments and the direction of some professionals.

"60 Minutes" airs this Sunday, April 8th, 7:00 PM, ET/PT on CBS.

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