Swazi Observer

FULL STORY

HMCS WINS STANDARD BANK CHORAL COMPETITION AGAIN

By KHETSIWE KHUMALO | 2024-05-30

HIS Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS) Choir is the Standard Bank Choral Music champions.
The competition was held at Esibayeni Lodge on Sunday.

HMCS Choir won big as they walked away with E20 000 cash prize after being declared the overall winners with 175 points, competing under the large category.

They were also awarded E10 000 for their 29 per cent ticket purchase on UNAYO.
The choir celebrated their win with pure excitement as they climbed on stage in song after their conductor Melisizwe Zwane was handed the award.

Zwane said they were thrilled with the win.
“It was not an easy competition. Choirs have raised the bar high and we really had to work hard for this win,” he said.

He stated that because of the long experience they have with choristers they were able to maneuver around all the challenges they were faced with during the competition, landing them the win. He added that they were excited and honoured to defend the title.

“I am very proud of the choristers as they were on form and gave an exceptional performance,” said Zwane.

Mbabane Methodist Church Choir scooped second place with 170 points, earning them E18 000 and in third position was Manzini Choir with 163 points and a cash prize of E16 000.

The Mbabane Methodist Church Choir also walked away with a cash prize of E4 000 for being the first prize winners under the choice piece category.

They were followed by the Royal Eswatini Police Choir and Manzini Choir. The African Philharmonic Chorus was the only choir under the large choirs that walked away home empty handed.
Performances from all the category including choirs under the standard category were exceptional in their deliverance.

The melodies, the harmonies and dances displayed through the performances were amazing as these had the audience giving standing ovations with excitement. The solo performances that kicked off the competition were also spectacular.

Pure Voices were the overall winners under the standard choir category. They received 161 points that earned them E15 500.

Sweet Sounds took second place with 153 points and a cash prize of E13 500. Florence Catholic Church Choir came in third with 151 points, earning them E10 500.

The new choir, Asihlabelele Choir, impressed under the choice piece category, walking away with E2 000. One of the other new choirs which participated in the competition called Emmanuel Methodist Church Choir was praised for their good efforts.

Winning participants of the solo competition also walked away with cash prizes. The champs under each category were awarded with E2 000 each.

Nothile Mathonsi was the winner under alto, Sibusiso Dlamini under tenor, Lungelwa Shabalala under soprano and Thando Zwane under bass.

Zwane was also awarded a special blue blazer as he took away the Sam Sikelela Msibi Excellence Award. Some of the other memorable moments were Linda Dlamini where everyone stood to sing along and dance.

Dr Hugh Magagula was also given recognition for his long standing commitment and support to the choral fraternity. He received a beautifully large framed certificate of appreciation and a blue blazer.

share story