Choral group, Chitungwiza Harmony Singers will be out to defend their title when the 38th edition of the Old Mutual National Choir Festival roars to life tomorrow in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
The award-winning outfit left the country on Wednesday for the two-day festival, where they are expected to face stiff competition from 22 other groups drawn from the region.
Speaking to NewsDay before their departure, the choir’s spokesperson Peter Thole said morale in the camp was high, with confidence that they would once again defend their title.
“We know that Old Mutual National Choir Festival is a tough competition and we have done our best in terms of preparations. With the way we have been rehearsing, we are confident that we will be serious contenders,” Thole said.
The group will be taking part for the fifth time at the festival, ranked as one of the most prestigious choral music competitions in Southern Africa.
Old Mutual emerging markets sponsorship manager Bandile Mngoma said this year, choristers participating at the festival would be mentored by Idols South Africa judge and choreographer-cum-artiste Somizi Mhlongo.
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“The 38th Old Mutual National Choir Festival is expected to set the City of Roses on fire this weekend, with more than 1 500 choristers set to take the stage for the grand finale of Southern Africa’s biggest choral music showcase, hosted by the Mangaung Municipality at the University of the Free State South Campus,” Mngoma said.
“Renowned performing artiste Somizi Mhlongo will mentor choristers at the festival that will see 22 choirs compete for prize money which is over a million rand (R1 005 000), with winners of the two main categories — Standard and Large — walking away with R74 000 and R100 000 respectively.”
Mngoma said there are also prizes for best conductors and best indigenous piece, among others.
He said as the sponsors of the choral music festival for the past 28 years, they were committed and proud to be promoting generations of exceptional musical talent in Southern Africa.
“Through our ongoing support of this powerful and historically important art form, we also want to inspire our communities to dream big and commit to doing great things,” Bandile Mngoma said.
“With its rich cultural heritage, this year’s host city, Bloemfontein, is ideally suited to put on a festival of this kind. The locals are renowned for their friendliness, enthusiasm and hospitality and we are looking forward to sharing this memorable and uplifting experience with them.”
Mngoma said among its many success stories, the festival had produced internationally acclaimed artistes such as Pretty Yende, Pauline Malefane, Phumeza Matshikiza, Sibongile Mngoma and the Afro Tenors.
Choirs competing in the Standard Category are: CUT choir (Free State), Chitungwiza Harmony Singers (Zimbabwe), Northern Cape SAPS Choir (Northern Cape), St Florence Catholic Church Choir (Swaziland), Matlosana Melodies (North West), Bel Canto Singers (Eastern Cape), African Sweet Melodies (Gauteng), Prince Mshiyeni Choir (KwaZulu-Natal), Simon Estes Alumni Choir (Western Cape), African Serenade Project (Mpumalanga) and Joyful Harmonies (Western Cape).
Choirs performing in the Large Category finalists are His Majesty Correctional Services Choir (Swaziland), Mbabane Methodist Church Choir (Swaziland), The Matthews Singers (Eastern Cape), Bel Canto Voices (Free State), Zwelitsha Adult Choir (Eastern Cape), Bagale Chorus (North West), NWU Serenaders (North West), Kopano Chorus (Gauteng), SA Singers (KwaZulu-Natal), Voices of the Nation (Gauteng) and Gauteng Choristers (Gauteng). title in SA
