By Sofia Mapuranga| Two Zimbabwean choral groups have for the first time qualified for World Choir Games set to be held in Tshwane, South Africa.

The groups, Choice Children’s Choir and Note2etoN Choir will participate in the choral festival set to be held from 3- 13 July 2018.

The Choice Children’s Choir is a Harare choir with children from a total of 8 schools that are both government and privately run.

Note2etoN on the other hand is an adult community choral group composed of people with a common passion for contemporary choral music. The choir seeks to promote positive societal values and norms using music and bringing together the community thus promoting healing as well as cultural exchange.

“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe are rendering national support to the two choral groups to represent Zimbabwe at the higher level,” said Cathrine Mthombeni, the National Arts Council Acting Communications and Marketing Manager.

She said the World Choir Games are a bi-annual international choral festival in which choirs from different parts of the world congregate to sing and compete together.

“This year, is the 10th Anniversary of the World Choir Games and for the first time, the competitions are being held in Africa,” she said.

Mtombeni revealed that the games are based on the Olympic ideals, which aim to peacefully unify people and nations connected by song in a fair connection.

The participation of both choirs is an opportunity to participate, contribute, enhance vocal skills and experience the enthusiasm of singing together.

At the World Choir Games the Choice Children’s Choir will participate in the Mixed Children’s Choirs category 2 and Friendship Concert while Note2etoN Choir will compete in category 9 of Mixed Choirs and category 27 for Scenic Folklore.

Mthombeni revealed that the send off ceremony for the choirs will be held on Saturday 30 June at Reps Theatre.

As part of the selection process for The Choice Children’s Choir, children went through an audition process in August last year. Over a hundred children auditioned to join the choir and 46 were selected who were the best singers and showed the most potential. These children have been rehearsing weekly for the last 10 months in preparation for the international festival.

The two choirs had a series of performances at the annual National Institute of Allied Arts Eisteddfod. This year Choice Children’s Choir performed with some particularly challenging classes with choristers who were much older than them and excelled.

In 2016 Note2etoN took part in the National Eisteddfod and attained Honours and won the Rotary Trophy for Contemporary Ethnic and Traditional Category.

The name “Choice Children’s Choir” was birthed after the realisation that each child in the choir auditioned to be part of the choir and was chosen for his or her particular talent. The name is also influenced by the fact that each child made a personal choice and commitment to be a part of the choir.

“Its mission is to take Zimbabwean Voices to the global stage.

The group hopes to take the Zimbabwean light and talent and share it with the World,” said Mthombeni.