16 Nov 2015

Gaborone Youth Singers (GYS) maintained their dominance in choral music over the weekend outsmarting four other giants in the beMOBILE National Choir festival which is so far the apex of local choral music.

In the history of the prestigious competition, GYS remains the only choir to have won both vernacular and African song in the large section of the contest with an overall average of 88.5 per cent.

Their intentions were made clear from the onset during their unique rendition of Praise ye the Lord which was a precursor to their best performance since their inception as they wowed the audience with a well articulated and dramatised version of Bagaka ba Rona.

Had the judges given them anything less than position one in the vernacular piece, the audience would have had less confidence in the adjudication given how they were mesmerised.

GYS is in its finest form ever being the national champions of the Presidential Choral competitions and second runner up in the prestigious Old Mutual national choir festival.

It was not surprising as a result to witness them determining the fate of the competition amid stiff competition from KTM, Gaborone Philharmonic Voices (GPV), Maikano Serenaders and Unique Rhythms.

Not to be outdone, KTM gave their most impressive performance in the vernacular piece under the stewardship of Luka Disho, which according to the judges could only end as best as position two.

The choir registered an average of 82.5 per cent for two songs and cashed P38 000 including their win of Rose of Sharon in the female category.

It was clear on Saturday that every time KTM enters a competition, the standard coincidentally goes higher, and their self imposed exile from competitions proved to be their main shortcoming over the weekend.

GPV over the weekend was the most improved choir in the competition, being a relatively new choir but affording a position three in the competitive large section, among others beating Maikano Serenaders who are runners up in the prestigious Old Mutual national choir festival.

Overall growth in choral music has spiraled at an amazing pace, a fact that was even acknowledged by renowned adjudicators from South Africa.

New entrant in the competition St Bernadette church choir also caused discomfort to other Section C choirs with a moving rendition of 73 Ya Rona composed by Bushi Bogosing plus a sweet presentation of Upon this rock by Phillimon Mataela.

The competition was sponsored by beMOBILE for P200 000 while the Ministry of Youth Sport and Culture also provided financial backing for logistics.

Choral enthusiasts say so far the competition has huge potential as it uproots talent in all forms of music among them singing, conducting, adjudicating and composing. Ends