malvernmugadzikwa
Society Reporter
SCHOOLS from Chitungwiza dominated a choral music competition hosted by the Zimbabwe College of Music (ZMC) in Harare last weekend after scooping top accolades.
The Zengeza 2 High School choir was crowned champions, while Zengeza 1 High School secured third place.
Six choirs from different parts of the country participated in the event.
The champions walked away with a trophy and US$500 prize money; followed by Rufaro High School from Masvingo province, which received a trophy plus US$400.
Zengeza 1 High School took home a trophy and US$300 cash prize.
Nyamatikiti High School (Mashonaland Central) came fourth, while Gifts Academy High School (Ruwa) and New Hope Academy (Chitungwiza) were adjudged fifth and sixth, respectively.
Zengeza 2 High School senior master Mr Lloyd Chipurura — who is also a music teacher — dedicated the victory to the institution’s late music teacher,
who passed away during the competition.
“When we lost Mr Madhlenkosi Gangarabwe, we thought it was over but the determination by learners and the great support we got from the administration and the headmaster saw us through.
“Under the guidance of the current leadership of Mr Paulgracia Mupariwa, we hope to take the music subject to greater heights and combine it with a recently introduced dance subject,” said Mr Chipurura.
The school, he said, plans to have a music studio to promote upcoming talent.
He believes there was need to support choral music from the grassroots as the genre is not being treasured in communities.
The choral music competition returned this year after a four-year Covid-19-induced sabbatical.
Schools took the opportunity to showcase their talents at the choral music fête sponsored by bottled water company ZLG.
In an interview, ZCM executive director Rachel Jera-Chigwanda said before the sabbatical, the festival had become a permanent springboard for talent.
“The choral music festival has continued to develop talent from grassroots and uniting high school choirs, as well as providing an interaction platform.
“As a way of promoting choral music in the country, the first day of the festival featured primary schools, while the second day was for high schools, with the churches’ choral festival set for July 8 (yesterday),” she said.
The event ran under the theme “Let us fight drugs, creating a drug use-free Zimbabwe”.
Online Reporter