WADDILOVE High School choir shrugged off stiff competition from eight other choirs to win this year’s second edition of Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) choral music competition on Saturday.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

Tozivei Mutowembwa (left) receives a trophy from Zimbabwe College of Music director Rachael Jera-Chigwanda (right) while a Zimura official looks on

The Marondera-based 60-member choir pocketed $500 and received a trophy while the first runners up, Apostolic Faith Mission Azusa Revival Centre Choir, walked away $300 richer and second runners up, Salvation Army Chitungwiza got $200 for their efforts.

The choir’s performances of the set piece, Singing for a Purpose composed by ZCM’s senior lecturer Walter Mujuru, were judged by Maxwell Raphomoyo and Farai Mutangi.

Waddilove choir director Tozivepi Mutowembwa, said they worked hard to achieve the top position after coming third at the same competition last year.

“Although I have not yet achieved what I want with this choir, I am happy with what we have achieved so far,” he said. Salvation Army Chitungwiza choir director Paul Sithambo walked away $200 richer, courtesy of Zimbabwe Music Rights Association for emerging the best director.

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ZCM executive director Rachael Jera-Chigwanda told NewsDay that the competition was aimed at uniting choirs from different fields.

“We were happy with the positive response to the competition, with an increase in numbers of competitors. Last year, we had three choirs and this year six more choirs participated. We appreciate the spirited and unwavering support we got from all our sponsors for the success of the event,” she said.

Other choirs that participated at the competition, sponsored by People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB), First Mutual Life Assurance, Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura) and Tropical Sounds and Music Distributors, were Chipindura High School, Methodist Church in Zimbabwe assemblies from Glen View, Mainway and Mufakose, St Andrews Anglican Church, St Mary’s High School and Zengeza 1 High School.