daniel chigunwe
Youth Interactive Writer
The Choice Children’s Choir from Zimbabwe has raised the country’s flag high after winning two silvers at the just-ended second edition of the Lisbon Sings Competition 2023 held in Portugal.
The international choir competition, which unfolded in Lisbon, brought together 35 choirs from 16 nations and highlighted the transformative power of music to unite diverse cultures.
The highest score in the competition was achieved by the choir Ellerhein Girls Choir Tallinn from Estonia with a total of 27,79 points in the “Youth Choirs” category.
The competition, which was held in Lisbon, Portugal from 9 to 13 November 2023 was a very respected choral competition in Europe and the World which saw other 35 choirs from around the world competing for the coveted title.
The Choir competed in Categories G1 — Children’s Choirs and Category F — Folklore to which they just missed a Gold by less than a point.
Surprisingly the local choir was the only representative from Africa.
Their performances were met with critical acclaim from the international panel of five jurors.
The judges praised the choir’s vibrant energy and dances, their technical mastery, and their expressive interpretation of the music. Zimbabwe’s traditional music was accepted and celebrated by many different people from around the world from as far as Brazil in the closing ceremony which the choir was chosen to be part of five choirs out of the 31 that were performing as the highlight of the Competition and Awards Ceremony.
Speaking to the Youth Interactive Section, Choice Children’s Choir director, Bright Gwati said they were happy that they represented the country well.
“We are so honoured and proud to have been awarded two Silvers at the Lisbon Sings Championship Categories,” said Gwati.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment for our children who competed in some cases against adult choirs from Europe and conquered, I am so proud of all of our hard work and having raised the Zimbabwean flag high.”
He said this is the latest in a series of successes for the Choice Children’s Choir. “The choir has resumed its touring schedule after breaking during the COVID-19 years having previously competed in the World Choir Games in Tshwane 2018.”
“The Choir now looks forward to going for Gold in Auckland New Zealand at the 13th International World Choir Games 2024.”
“The Choice Children’s Choir is a vibrant and talented group of young singers from the City of Harare who audition and prove that they have what it takes to compete on the international stage,” explained Gwati.
The choir is dedicated to developing the best of Harare’s singing talent in schools and providing the opportunity to compete on the world stage proving that Zimbabwe has equally got the talent to compete against other singers from around the world.
Online Reporter