The ManicaPost
Dominic Satumba
| LITTLE-KNOWN St Joseph’s High School of Rusape defied all odds and put up a near-flawless performance to grab the pole position in the tightly contested 2016 Catholic Schools Association national music competitions held at St Dominic’s High School in Mutare last Saturday. |
A total of 28 Catholic schools across Zimbabwe converged in Mutare for the annual music festival.
The music festival’s competition song was “Mwari Vanoregera, Vane Tsitsi Nerudo Rwusingashanduki” composed by Reverend Father James Mundopa of Mutare Diocese.
The song dovetails with the theme of this Jubilee Year of Mercy as proclaimed by Pope Francis.
The Year of mercy which commenced in October 2015 will end on November 20, 2016.
The festival was blessed by the presence of the Bishop of Mutare Diocese, Rt Rev Paul Horan, who celebrated Mass before the choirs went on stage.
Provincial Education Director for Manicaland, Mr Edward Shumba and the national co-ordinator of education under the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, Sr Dr Theresa Nyadombo, also graced the national festival.
It was a fierce battle which gave the panel of judges a torrid time in deciding the champions as many of the choirs showcased high quality music standards. And in living the quote of St Augustine that singing well is as good as praying twice, the young did not disappoint.
Shungu High School from Gweru Diocese came second, while St Francis of Assisi from the Archdiocese of Harare was third.
Holy Cross, St Michael’s, Monte Cassino Girls’ High, St Joseph’s Mutare, St Dominic’s Mutare, Mutero High and St Dominic’s Chishawasha Girls’ High complete the top 10.
St Joseph’s Rusape walked away with a floating trophy and prize money. Their choir conductor was also judged the best.
Sr Dr Theresa Nyadombo was pleased with the proceedings of the day. She commended the school children, teachers and their parents for the unity that prevailed during the competitions.
“This was a great success. I am elated. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2016 Catholic Schools Association Music Festival and to the teachers and parents who supported them.
“This event has given students the opportunity to experience performing in a professional set-up and showcased the wealth of talent across Zimbabwe’s Catholic school sector,” said a thrilled Sr Dr Nyadombo.
She said the festival helps in inculcating a sense of belonging, professionalism and confidence in the pupils.
“The Catholic education ethos is to create ‘the complete person’ who is educated, responsible, and above all, God-fearing.
This music festival is one of the ways of enabling our students become confident, disciplined and responsible students. The students gain qualities such as leadership, teamwork and confidence.
“As you all know, it takes great commitment and dedication to be a singer or musician, or to perform in public and in front of thousands of people but the rewards are great – the chance to express yourself and to entertain and inspire people,” said Sr Dr Nyadombo.
The Catholic Schools Association National Music Festival is a culmination of diocesan competitions of the Catholic Schools, where the cream from the eight dioceses are then chosen to perform on the national stage. It affords the young to be the best they can be with the knowledge that their performances are appreciated on a national platform.
