Celebrating 30 years of Choral Music
THREE choirs from the country will represent the Kingdom of Swaziland in the national finals of the Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival to be held at the International Convention Centre. The event will be held in South Africa (Durban) on December 8
Mbabane Methodist Church Choir won the Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival Swaziland Regional Championships in the standard category of the National Final of the Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival.
Harmonious Chorus Singers will compete in the large category.
“These two choirs are the regional champions after winning their respective categories of Swaziland Regional Championships, which was held on Saturday, October 13 at the Divine Healing Ministries International in Manzini,” said Zola Nkuta, sponsorship manager for Telkom SA.
winners
He said the two winners had now joined Manzini Choir who had an automatic into the finals after winning the Swaziland Regional Championships large category for the past three years.
“Swazil choirs will now have to test their strengths with winners from all the nine provinces of South Africa at the finals,” Nkutha said.
He added that audiences from Swaziland gave the event their full support and the competing choirs treated them to a good standard of choral music.
“The overall aim of the Old Mutual/Telkom National Choir Festival is to continue raising the standard of choral music in Southern Africa and to enrich people’s lives, both as individuals and choristers, through their interaction with one another and their involvement in the festival,” he said.
“As founder sponsors of the Proudly South African initiative, we are committed to recognising the exceptional musical talent that exists in South Africa and the surrounding countries,” said Nkuta.
competition
He added that 250 choirs entered this year’s competition, which started in March with the District Eliminations and 233 choirs made it through to the Regional Championships.
“These choirs have also been treated to intensive workshops in various regions around the country to help prepare them for their performances in the Regional Championships,” he said.
promises
The National Finals programme will provide music lovers with a real treat. It promises to be an exceptional weekend of entertainment and should not to be missed by anyone who enjoys choral music. Tickets will be available through Computicket.
According to Tony Lankester, sponsorship manager for Old Mutual South Africa: “We are extremely proud to be associated with the development of arts and culture in our country and help celebrate South African choral music.”
[Via The Observer]
