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NIAA Music Eisteddfod for schools commence today

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The annual National Institute of Allied Arts (NIAA) Music Eisteddfod commenced at the Prince Edward School today.

The annual National Institute of Allied Arts (NIAA) Music Eisteddfod commenced at the Prince Edward School  today.

Tinashe Sibanda

The Eisteddfod will be held at various schools including Prince Edward, Twin Rivers and the Harare International School in Harare, the Zimbabwe Music Academy in Bulawayo as well as Midlands Christian College in Gweru.

According to NIAA spokesperson, Kathy Norman, over 2000 entries had been received, which is an increase of 10% on 2013 and the most ever.

The African music section has attracted 514 entries comprising mbira, marimba and vocals as solos, duets and ensembles (89 marimba ensembles) as well as 48 choirs.  This section commences on the 17th of March at the Beit Hall, Prince Edward School.

Norman said a highlight of the festival would be the Marimba Challenge which is where all the marimba ensembles that are awarded an honours grade play again and the best one is presented with the Kutinya Trophy for senior schools or the Nic Manomano Trophy for junior schools which will be held on March 26.

“Our African music adjudicator is Anthony Caplan who comes to us from the Eastern Cape in RSA.  He holds a BMus (hons) from Rhodes University. He gained vast experience in African traditional and World music under the direction of Professor Andrew Tracey who adjudicated the African music classes at the 2004 Eisteddfod,” she said.

Norman said in the Western music section, 861 instrumental entries had been received with 29 of these being bands or orchestras and the vocal section had however attracted 148 choirs out of 622 entries.

She said a highlight in this section would be the Vocal Challenge where vocal soloists who receive an honors grade compete for three highly prized awards — the Peter Bosley, Monica Trollope and Harry Tudball Memorial Trophies on the evening of March 26 at the Music Centre Prince Edward School.

“Our instrumental adjudicator for the western section is Professor Andrew Sherwood who has adjudicated for the NIAA twice before and conducted Zimbabwe’s National Musicamp in 2012,”she said. African born and educated in Zimbabwe, Sherwood began the violin in Zimbabwe at the age of fourteen and after just three years of training with Leo Birsen he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Music.

For the past two decades he has been primarily focused on youth music and is at present Professor of Violin at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (formerly Trinity College of Music) in London.  He also conducts a number of orchestras, teaches violin and adjudicates in Britain and abroad.

“Some Western instrumental classes will be adjudicated in Bulawayo for the first time in many years. Professor Sherwood will conduct these adjudications and run a couple of workshops whilst there,” Norman added.

Ainsley Ryan, who moved to Harare with her family in September 2010, will adjudicate the western vocalists.  She is a well-known mezzo soprano who has performed in New York as well as other cities in the US.  She has been involved with the Institute for several years adjudicating and providing master classes at schools in Harare and Bulawayo.  Ryan holds a BA in Music from Dartmouth College.

The vocalists will be performing at the Chapel at Prince Edward School, the Music Centre and the choirs will be at Harare International School from March 18 to 21 and at Twin Rivers School on March 26 and 27.

The festival finishes on March 28 and there will be a final concert highlighting the best items presented during the three week extravaganza the following day at the theatre at the Harare International School theatre.

Although the Eisteddfod has over 60 trophies to award to “winning” candidates and each candidate receives a certificate of performance, it is the value of participation and the experience gained for so many young people that is the main focus of this musical showpiece.

“The participation of parents and the general public as an audience is always welcome. The National Institute of Allied Arts is grateful to Mashonaland Holdings who have been the main sponsor of the Eisteddfod for many year and we thank the British Council for sponsoring the air fare for Prof Sherwood,” Norman said.