WADDILOVE High School choir overpowered eight other choirs to defend their title as the choral music champions in the high schools category at this year’s third edition of the annual Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) choral festival on Saturday in Harare.
BY ARTS REPORTER
The festival attracted more participants, with nine high school and 10 church choirs battling for honours in two categories contested separately.
The Marondera-based choir, who have proven to be one of the leading choral groups, pocketed $500 and received a floating trophy, while the first runners-up, Zengeza 1 High School, walked away $350 richer and second runners-up, Zengeza 2 High School got $250 for their efforts.
In the church choirs’ category, St Peter United Methodists Church Youth Choir Chitungwiza came top with 89 points and walked away $500 richer, while Apostolic Faith Mission Bethel Assembly and Apostolic Faith Mission Azusa Assembly pocketed $350 and $250 respectively for occupying second and third places.
The choir’s performances of the set pieces, was composed by George Tamisa and Christopher Tamburayi, were judged by Christopher Tapera and Fredrick Mwale.
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of the event, Waddilove choir director Tozivei Mutowembwa said they had worked hard to achieve the top position.
“I am overwhelmed that we defended our title. We have worked hard despite that we had examinations at school, we managed to strike the balance and we have secured the trophy for the second time,” he said.
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“We were precise in terms of notation and interpretation and that’s what did the magic for us in addition to the mature voices in the choir.”
ZCM executive director, Rachael Jera-Chigwanda said they are committed to uplifting talent in line with the college’s vision and promised another bigger and better festival next year.
“We are happy with the positive response to the choral music festival, with a continuous increase in numbers of competitors. Choral music is now the main medium for transmitting messages that uplift and enlighten the main soul, while giving better placements for psychomotor abilities, immune boosting, wellness and entrepreneurial activities,” she said.
Jera-Chigwanda honoured the composers of the songs performed at the festival, the choir conductor of the day from both to church and high school choirs in the directors awards.
