St. Augustine Choir Intra-House Choir Competition
Most Rev. Dr. Monsignor John Aniagwu (6th right) and Barrister Mrs. Anastasia Gbem Patroness of the choir (5th left) and members of St. Augustine Choir in a group Photograph during the Intra House Choir Competition held last weekend.
It was a night of soul lifting, praises and dancing in St. Leo’s Parish on Saturday September 1, 2018 as St. Augustine Choir thrilled the audience with lovely soul lifting songs in both English and Native rendition during her first intra-house choir competition titled “Building Self Confidence”.
The choir which is made up of about 70 members decided to have her first intra-house choir competition amongst choristers in order to build self confidence and friendship amongst themselves.
The idea is for the strong choristers to get better and best and for the weak ones to getter stronger and better as this will help to solidify and improve the St. Augustine Choir in all ramifications even to minister strongly in the church as a body.
The event, which started with Nine Days ‘Novena’ on Sunday August 19 to Tuesday August 28, had talks, indoor games, aerobics, skill acquisition training etc. Motivational speakers like ESV Taiwo Adewunmi was on ground to deliver talk on “Financial/Business Empowerment”; A Public Speaker/Journalist, Miss Blessing Modupe Umebali, centred her talk on “Etiquette & Power of Sacrifice”; Monsignor John Aniagwu, the Parish Priest, took them on the “Doctrine of the Church”; Miss Elizabeth Dare on “Skills Acquisition”; (D.I.Y) focus was on “makeup & tying headgears”; Lady Francisca Areoye on “Choosing the ideal partner”; Miss Ivie Raymond on the “Use of the Needle” while Rev Fr. Winfred Nwachukwu talked on “Singing as a Calling” ended with the Choir Competition.
The event commenced with an opening prayer led by one of the Patronesses of the choir, Dr. Mrs. Funmi Adjene; the welcome address was made by the Choir Mistress, Mrs. Uzeezi Ugbechi whiles the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Monsignor John Aniagwu gave the opening remark.
The choir which organised itself into three groups: The Sonorous Voices, Diamond Voices, and Angelic Voices rendered three songs each both in native and English language.
The Rev. Father who congratulated the St Augustine choir for their initiative, described the competition as “unique and first of its kind in the Parish” also added that “if a choir can come up with this excellent ideas just to improve singing in our parish, I see no reason the parish shouldn’t have her Parish Choir Competition in order to improve singing in our parish”.
He enjoined the choir not to allow the result of the competition to tear them apart. “I hope this won’t tear the choir at the end when the result of the winner is announced,” he advised.
He thanked the Choir mistress Mrs. Uzeezi Ugbechi and the choir master, Mr. Patrick Adebayo for their initiatives.
Earlier Mrs. Anastasia Gbem had congratulated the choir and wished them success in all aspects of their lives. She also pledged her financial support to the Choir and urged them to use their God given talent to win souls for God.
The event was managed (Compered) by no other person than Miss Blessing Umebali and Assisted by Mr. Patrick Adebayo.
The winner of the competition was the Diamond Voices also known as Team Power House, followed by the Angelic Voices while the third position went to Sonorous Voices.
On individual category, Miss Joan Chijioke was voted the most improved Soprano Singer; Miss Ivie Raymond, most improved Alto Singer; Mr. Emmanuel Aganu most improved Tenor and Mr. Maximus Uzoma as the most improved Bass Singer.
The programme planning committee was chaired by Miss Elizabeth Egbe.
The event would be done every 2 years and the choir is looking forward to having her own Choir Concert sometime next year.
Report written by: Blessing Umebali. (Umebali is a seasoned Journalist)
Mr. Patrick Adebayo, Assistant Choirmaster, Miss Blessing Modupe Umebali, Master of Ceremony presenting a Missal gift on behalf of the Choir to Miss Ivie Raymond as the Most Improved Alto Singer.
L-r: Mr. Patrick Adebayo, Assistant Choirmaster, Mrs. Ego Augustina Ogbewele, a member and Choir’s Patroness, presenting a Missal gift on behalf of the choir to Mr. Emmanuel Aganu as the Most Improved Tenor Singer.
L-r: Mrs. Uzeezi Ugbechi, St. Augustine Choir Mistress, Presenting a Missal gift to Miss Joan Chijioke as the Most Improved Soprano Singer.
Dr. Monsignor John Aniagwu, Parish Priest (3rd right) Presenting the winner cash gift to the winner of the competition Diamond Voices aka (Team Power House) while others watch in admiration.
Miss Blessing Modupe Umebali, the MC in chitchat with Monsignor JK Aniagwu.
The three conductors in chitchat with the judges, Miss Emmanuel, Mr. John-Paul and Victor with them is the assistant choirmaster Mr. Patrick Adebayo.
The Sonorous Voices group thrilling the audience.
Barrister Mrs. Anastasia Gbem, Choir’s Patroness appreciating the choir for wonderful renditions.
Angelic Voices thrilling the audience.
