Nthatuoa Koeshe
LESOTHO’S Serumula Performing Arts Academy says it faced stiff competition at this year’s edition of the South African Provincial Choral Competition at the Bohlokong New Hall in Bethlehem.
Serumula came fourth at the contest.
Organised by the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) in partnership with the Lengau Choral Music Association (LECMA) the competition was aimed at promoting choral music in the Free State province.
The choral competition was held under the theme, “Advancing the Credible Voice of Choral Music” and it saw more than 50 choirs from across the Free State Province participating in three sections namely, Development, Standard and Large.
Serumula posted on its Serumula Performing Arts Academy: Choral Singing Division (SPAA) Facebook handle that competition was stiff.
“We did not do as much as we had hoped,” Serumula said on the post.
“We only managed to score 78 marks in the Western Piece which gave us the second position, and 61 marks in the African Category. We got an overall mark of 139, three points adrift of the third position.
“Congratulations to Thabong Chorus, Motheo Tvet Choir and Uniqwa Choir for well-deserved positions. We would also like to congratulate Maseru LECSA Youth Guild for winning the Development Section. You flew Lesotho’s flag very high ladies and gentlemen. You are simply the best.”
Serumula said they would however, go back to the drawing board and keep trying.
Serumula is a performing arts academy which also has a vibrant choral music division. It trains music theory, music history, vocal training and vocal techniques, conducting, choral techniques and applications and music analysis among others.
SPAA, was formed in January 2007 with only 16 members but has grown to 130 active members and is now popular even in neighbouring South Africa.
It has won several choral competitions both locally and in South Africa. Locally, the group has won the National African Melody Festival five times since 2012.
The list of South African Honours includes, the Melting Pot Choir Festival, Gauteng Choral Music Awards as well as the South African National Choir Festival and Mangaung Choral Music Association competitions.
DSACR’s Limakatso Mahasa, said it was important to encourage young people to take part in choral music.
She said choirs play a vital role in the dissemination of messages of unity and national pride and in fostering social cohesion and nation building.
“Through this competition, DSACR is elevating choral music to a more coordinated and professional musical genre. We value choral music because of its dignity and the role it can play in nation building, social cohesion and the renewal of our heritage,” Mahasa said.
