Online Reporter
Langalakhe Mabena
The multi-talented Bulawayo Children’s Choir who have taken the city and the rest of the country by storm courtesy of their new single titled Igama Lakho, are seeking to recruit more young musicians as a way of beefing up the ensemble.
Composed of children from various schools around the city of Kings, the choir has called upon parents to support their “talented” children by encouraging them to apply for auditions and be part of the choir.
Children who can be considered as new members must be aged between five to 16 and be passionate about music, show potential for vocal development and musical growth, as well as being able to commit to regular rehearsals and performances.
Trevor Mawaka, who is the founding director of the choir, said he created the choir as a way of helping kids with talent by giving them a platform where they can be able to be moulded and chase their dreams.
A teacher by profession, Mawaka said the success of his project with Charleston Trust Primary School Choir (CTPSC) inspired him to search for talent and accommodate gifted children from different schools around Bulawayo and groom them under one ensemble.
“The initiative of creating the Bulawayo Children’s Choir came through my passion for music and working with children. As a music educator, I recognised the need for a platform that would provide young talent with opportunities to develop their skills and showcase their abilities.
“The choir was established in December 2024. Its basis was the success I had with Charleston Trust Primary School Choir, which included having the choir nominated at the African Children of the Year Awards and Bulawayo Arts Awards.
“After the CTPSC project stopped, Mothers of Special Heroes (MOSH) engaged me to form the MOSH All Abilities Choir which also had considerable success.
“Another thing that inspired me to create this choir came after I visited Kenya, where I experienced the Sawa Children’s Choir, something which made me realise the power of children’s choirs in developing music talent,” said Mawaka.
The mentor said the choir doesn’t discriminate as it accommodates “any child.”
He said so far, the choir comprises children from different schools including Dominican Convent, Hillside primary, WASC
Group of Schools, Greenfield, Charleston Trust, as well as Ngwalongwalo primary.
Mawaka said he finds it incredibly rewarding to work with young children in nurturing their talents.
“While it can be challenging at times, the experience is overwhelmingly positive. Children are naturally curious and eager to learn, which makes the mentoring process enjoyable and fulfilling,” he said.
Meanwhile, the choir will stage their debut performance at Bulawayo Theatre on March 29 at the Young Artistes Development School (YADS) event. They will have many other performances during the course of the year.
