By Pinehas Nakaziko
WINDHOEK-The first Joyful Sounds Music Competition schedule to take place early next month at National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) has been launched.
The competition under the theme “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything!” was launched in style last Thursday at the Warehouse Theatre, with massive performances by different artists.
During the launch, Reverend Nangula Kathindi honoured the occasion as key-note speaker. She praised the efforts by the organisers at making gospel music accessible to audiences of all walks of life and creating bridges between ecclesiastical and non-ecclesiastical artists and audiences alike. One of the prominent talents in Gospel music and third price winner of the Last Band Standing competition this year, Esme, mesmerised the audiences with her Greater than life rendition of Blot Mine, backed by a tight musical band. The Lord With Us Choir entertained the – well attended – Warehouse Theatre with greetings in all Namibian languages and choral works, combined with lively dancing by the choir members. The conductor of the choir, Jacqui Paulus, controlled the choir’s dynamics superbly and added life to the presentation. The final prayer was delivered by Reverend Maria Kapere, General Secretary to the Council of Churches in Namibia.
Ms Jane Katjavivi, chairperson of the FNB Foundation, handed over a check to the amount of N$ 98 000 to Elia Tapalo, Master of Ceremony and one of the Trustees of the Namibia Gospel Music Trust. The Joyful Sounds is a festival of Namibian choirs that combine vocal choral with instrumental music which are being accompanied by a band or musicians playing individual musical instruments. The project was initiated by the recently formed Namibia Gospel Music Trust in partnership with the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN) and Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Television.
Caption: The Lord With Us Choir, performing at the Warehouse Theatre during the launch of Joyful Music Competition last Thursday.
Picture: Joyful Choir