Harmonious Chorale Wins 3 Gold Medals at the World Choir Games

Harmonious Chorale, a Ghanaian choral music choir, has won 3 gold medals at the prestigious World Choir Games in South Africa. It was the maiden appearance of a Ghanaian contingents in this level of competition. 

Ghana won gold medals in three categories it participated in at the Sun Arena, South Africa on 7^th July. 

Harmonious Chorale participated in Category 09 – Mixed Choir, Category 16 – Musica Sacra with Accompaniments and Category 27 – Scenic Folklore of the Open Competition respectively. 

Displaying the rich Ghanaian Culture through costume and dance, Harmonic Chorale was crowned the overall winner of Category 27 erning 22.80 points; performing songs like traditional highlife piece Yaa Amponsah arranged by George Mensah Essilfie, Everybody Bring Your Calabash (in Kpalogo style) also arranged by George Mensah Essilfie and popular song Oye by James Varrick Armaah (performed with a of borborbor) bring to the table a total of 3 gold medals.

Again, they achieved GOLDEN DIPLOMA – LEVEL I after earning 20.73 points, placing second to The University of Western Cape Creative Arts – South Africa by a margin of 1.84 points in the Category 09 – Mixed Choirs.

Other choirs performed songs like “La Nuit” by Jean–Philippe Rameau, Lift Every Voice and Sing by J. Rosamond Johnson, arr. Roland Carter, MemaM’aniso by George Mensah Essilfie and “AsedaNkaNyame” by James VarrickArmaah.

Also, Harmonious Chorale Ghana achieved GOLDEN DIPLOMA- LEVEL IV after earning 23.74 points, placing fourth to Cantoholics from Austria by a margin of 1.34 points.

Under the directorship of James Varrick Armaah, the 52 man team made up of 44 singers, 4 keyboardists, 2 trumpeters and a Sound Engineer, Dominic Ansa-Asare participated in the Open Competition under the 3 categories.

The World Choir Games organized by Interkultur is the largest choral event in the world, with the idea based on the Olympic Games ideals, which aims to peacefully unify people and nations connected by songs in a fair competition. This 10th edition took place in Tshwane, South Africa from 4 to 14 July, the very first time the event has been held in Africa.

Participating choirs are evaluated by an international jury in accordance with the general MUSICA MUNDI evaluation system (30 points system) and awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Diplomas. The choir receiving the Gold Diploma with the most points is awarded the title “Winner of the World Choir Games – The Open Competition.

Harmonious Chorale Ghana the resident choir of Salt and light Music Ministry headed by Rev. Dr. Joyce R. Aryee.

Credit: CalebYesLord.blogspot.com