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Tsitsi Ndabambi
proud Choice Children’s choir director Bright Gwati and his team recently brought home a silver medal which they won in the Open Competition category at the just ended 2018 Tshwane World Choir Games, and they are beside themselves!

“The Open Competition is a contest which anyone from around the world can enter as long as the choir sends in an audition that meets the criteria of the panel. The main one is the Championship Competition which internationally acclaimed choirs take part in, it is similar to the main Olympics and we are looking to be part of this one in the future,” explained and ecstatic Gwati.

He said that it is just the beginning of their musical journey as they are already planning for the next competitions which are going to be in Belgium in 2020 where they are confident that they will bring home a gold medal since they have already tested the world platform for the first time by winning a silver medal.

“South Africa blew our minds in terms of what is possible. We will be opening up auditions for more children to join the choir if they are interested and want to be part of the movement. My aim is for the choir to be a place where children can gain experience and confidence in themselves while working with others,” he said.

“The stage will push them to become their best selves even if they don’t become musicians in the future. It is a place where they can learn to express themselves and find their voice. And so, we will be holding auditions very soon to open it up to more children,” added Gwati.

The choir is looking at doing another trip within the borders of Africa where they will take a full stage production and showcase Zimbabwean talent as well exposing the children to the beauties of the world and its people.

“We aim to perform at Hifa as well if given the chance and take part in a series of local stage productions. This will all lead up to the World Choir Games in Belgium in 2020. We participated in the Open Competition this time round — in Belgium we want to enter the Championship Competition and compete with acclaimed choirs from around the world where we will get ranked on the Musica Mundi World Rankings. We are aiming for gold with our experience and I definitely believe that it is possible,” he confidently added.

At the choir games the children performed the competition songs at The Desmond Abernethy Hall and participated at a friendship concert at the Kwalata Game Lodge followed by a Mayoral charity concert at the Sun Arena in Menlyn before flying back home.

Members of the Choir Darren Mutumha, Ryan Ushewokunze, Gugu Moyo, Hanaa Khan,Tara Mugabe, Travis Goode, Krivashinee Chingwena, Rebecca Grau, Maitashe Chikuni and Christina Jane Masimirembwa where ecstatic about their experience and are eagerly looking forward to the future in the choir.

With the help of music technical director Blessing Mutasa, the choir was born from the combined schools choir where over a hundred children from namely Avondale Primary School, Dominican Convent, Lusitania Primary School, Hellenic School, Sharon School, Hartman House and St Georges.

Forty six children were selected and for the past ten months they worked hard together as a team with the support of their parents making it possible for them to fly the Zimbabwean flag.

The adult community choir Note2Eton which is pronounced as Note to Note also took part at the choir games winning two Silver Medals for the Championship Mixed Choirs and Championship Scenic Folklore.

“It was a wonderful experience competing against some of the world’s best amateur choirs. It was the first time that Zimbabwe entered and we acquitted ourselves admirably,” said Mike Murenzvi the choir’s finance director, “after winning the Silver Medals we still need to pay off €6 200 of the full €12 200 affiliation and participation fees for these games with INTERKULTUR and start the preparations for the 2020 games in Flanders, Belgium.

Unfortunately for the choir the medals and certificates do not come with a financial reward so the choir has to raise the money.

“We negotiated with the organisers, INTERKULTUR and Music-Contact, to allow us to compete while still owing such a large balance to them. We couldn’t let our country, families, friends, and supporters down. We thank the organisers greatly for their understanding and hospitality.

We are currently in talks with some corporates to assist but we’re also appealing to the Zimbabwean people to donate what they can,” he  said.

“We received amazing help from well-wishers, including Zimbabweans in Gauteng, South Africa and though it was hard, the choir showed great tenacity in keeping on working for their country.

“We are grateful to the Turkish Ambassador to Zimbabwe HE Hakan Kivanc and Gussen Holding for arranging flights for our director Sabelo Nyoni who was not able to endure a long bus ride as well as some of our other sponsors Prince Edward School, Strauss Logistics Zimbabwe, Allen Wack & Shepherd, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Recreation. Despite budget constraints, they believed in us and recognised Note2Eton and Choice Children’s Choir as official Zimbabwean representatives to the games.”

The choir has previously competed in the National Institute of Allied Arts Vocal and Instrumental Festival (Eisteddfod) early this year and were also awarded the Rotary Ethnic Choirs Cup in 2016 and the Vocal Acapella Choirs Cup in 2017.