WINDHOEK– The second of two semi-finals in the Joyful Sound Choir Competition is this Sunday with the Adoration Choir, Okahandja Youth Choir and Christian Assemblies in comparing their singing and choral prowess.
In the first semi-final last Sunday, The Big ‘K’ emerged winners going through to the finals, with Soli Deo Gloria as runners-up and the Ploy Choir in third place. The Big ‘K’ lead singer, Adora, captivated the audience with a beautiful ballad and original composition named Bless the Child living up to the choir’s name. The Soli Deo Gloria choir rendered a powerful performance with the ten year-old Randall, keeping the choir’s accompanying band together with his astounding, dynamic and energetic tempo. The Soli Deo Gloria singing predominantly in the Otjiherero, boasts with twenty-three ‘subsidiary’ choir branches nationwide and celebrated its 30 years of existence last year.
The Poly Choir was given the task of ‘breaking the ice’ or of setting the goal post. And they sure did. This choir on any normal performing day comprises 40 to 50 singers – all current or former students at the Polytechnic of Namibia. But for this competition they have been reduced to make room on stage for the accompanying band. The judges where most impressed by the vocal prowess of Agnes Hausiku taking centre stage in her wheel chair. However the road to fame for Soli Deo Gloria (the runner up) is not entirely closed yet – Soli can still make it to the finals by way of a so-called ‘wild card’ together with the runner-up in this Sunday’s semi-final.
Joy Divine performed as a curtain raiser and towards the end while the judges are tallying their points. They were founded in 2005 for the purpose of promoting professionalism in the Namibian gospel industry, to scout for and groom new talent and to unite people in song regardless of race and ethnicity. Joy Divine is a compact choir-cum-band that emulate the aspirations of projects like the Joyful Sounds Choir Competition. While bringing along the skills to make it to the top, they decided, this time around, to make their mark outside the competition. Watch out for this one.
Tickets for the second semi finals are available at Computicket outlets and at the NTN for N$ 80. Doors open at 18h00 and the show starts 19h00. The finals take place at the NTN next Friday of at 19h00 for 20h00. Tickets for the finals are currently available at Computicket for N$ 100 apiece.
The Joyful Sounds Choir Competition is proudly sponsored by the FNB Foundation, Vigo, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) and the NTN.
Caption: The Big K’s, winner of the first semi-final of the Joyful Sounds Choir Competition last Sunday and who are now through to the final waiting for the winner of the second semi-final this Sunday, either Adoration Choir, Okahandja Youth Choir and Christian Assemblies for the finals on November 21 joined by two wild cards choirs as runners up in the two semi finals.
By Regina Simasiku