National Choir Festival raises bar for Zimbabwean music

Mthokozisi Ncube

Harare was alive with harmonious energy recently as some of Zimbabwe’s most talented choirs converged for the Tiro Mopane National Choir Festival, a competition that has become one of the country’s most prestigious platforms for choral music.

This year’s edition saw 16 choirs from across Zimbabwe including Vox from Masvingo, Dosa from Mutare, Bulawayo Choristers, Chinhoyi’s finest, and many others, lock horns in a breathtaking battle of voices, precision, and artistry.

When the final notes faded and the judges’ scores were tallied, Chitungwiza Harmony Singers and Glorious Melodies emerged victorious, each walking away with the coveted R10 000 prize.

For Arnold Dzangare, director of the Chitungwiza Harmony Singers, the triumph was both emotional and deeply rewarding.

“The competition was truly unforgettable. Choirs from all over the country came to showcase their talents, and the atmosphere was electric. I was nervous and thrilled to be part of it,” he said.

“The competition was incredibly tough, every choir was well-prepared. But our hard work paid off, and winning brought an immense sense of relief. I’m so proud of my choristers.”

The event, organised by the Zimbabwe Association of Choral Music Arts (ZACMA) in partnership with the Tiro Mopane Foundation, took over five months to plan. According to Bonny B Kanyenze, ZACMA’s secretary general, pulling off a competition of this magnitude is no small feat.
“Organising such an event is a massive task. It takes months of coordination, from securing the venue and sound systems to arranging logistics. Our biggest challenge remains financial constraints. Choirs require pianists, rehearsals, and travel arrangements, all of which are costly. Even the technical aspects like hiring sound equipment stretch our resources,” said Kanyenze.

Due to these challenges, not all registered choirs were able to participate. Some, like a Mutare ensemble and a Bulawayo group, withdrew citing financial difficulties and travel expenses.

The competition also enforced strict participation rules, including an 18+ age limit, which disqualified one choir composed mainly of school students.
“We have separate competitions tailored for younger choristers,” Kanyenze clarified.
To ensure transparency, judges were selected by the Tiro Mopane Foundation in South Africa and arrived in Zimbabwe with no prior knowledge of the participating groups.
“Judging was based purely on professionalism and set adjudication standards. These are highly qualified individuals who assess based on technical skill, musicality, and performance – ensuring a fair outcome.”

The broader vision of the festival is to elevate Zimbabwe’s choral music scene to international standards.
“Our long-term goal is to have all choirs scoring 75% and above, which would signal significant growth in quality. We want this festival to unite the country and help our choirs reach global stages,” Kanyenze added.

Busani Nkomo, a ZACMA board member, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the impressive growth of the festival.
“Bravo to all the choirs! The competition was incredibly tough, but the talent and dedication were inspiring. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since last year’s inaugural edition. The increase in participation and the rise in musical quality prove that Zimbabwe’s choral scene is thriving.”