Talented Music students from the Zimbabwe School of Music (ZSM) recently impressed audiences at a concert staged to explore possibilities of artistic and cultural exchange programmes between Zimbabwe and Korea.
Korean Ambassador, Lew Kwang-chul, who graced the concert, said they were preparing a programme to ensure local artists and their Korean counterparts share ideas and experiences.
Kwang-chul said in a bid to enhance the relations between the two countries, exceptional performers would be selected from the seven students that had showcased their talents to take part in an exchange programme.
“To improve co-operation between Zimbabwe and Korea we will introduce Zimbabwean artistes to the Korean ones and today I am here as the first part of the exercise,” said Kwang-chul.
The musicians included Everjoy Kawadza, Tapiwa Munyanyi, Nomsa Watyoka, Linda Makichi, Tendai Madzviti, Rutendo Machiridza and John Pfumojena. They all gave spectacular individual acts.
Kawadza did a spirited African traditional act making use of the mbira, hosho and marimba while Machiridza, whose voice perfectly blended with her mbira, was a marvel.
Munyanyi’s energetic dances depicted a true African warrior and received great applause from the audience.
“Many production companies in Korea are recruiting competent talents from foreign countries to enrich the contents of K-pop (Korean music genre) and Zimbabwe’s artists are also candidates for such co-operations,” said Korean Embassy Counsellor, Choi Young-joon.
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He said Korea was currently enjoying the success of K-pop in Asia, Europe and America and their hope was to link Zimbabweans to this genre.
ZSM director Aggrippa Sora said the ambassador’s visit to the concert was the beginning of a relationship between the school and Korea and it was in his hopes that students would be able to perform Korean music in the near future.
“We are privileged to have the Korean ambassador taking his time to witness our young performers and it is a great privilege that some of them will have the opportunity through the intended programme to further their musical knowledge and experience,” said Sora.
Kwang-chul said this was only the beginning of the process and the selected performers and exchange programme dates would be announced in due course.
The exciting event was closed by an exquisite performance by professional jazz and traditional musicians, Rute Mbangwa and Pablo Nakapa who got the audience dancing with songs Pangu Pangu and Pasi Padya amongst others.
