Fides Media Living the Faith
“ He who sings well, pray twice”
The Awka Diocesan 2018 singing competitions for all the catholic parish choirs in Awka Diocese was concluded on the 17th November,2018 with group ‘ A’ choirs singing the finals at St. Patrick’s Cathedral Awka. The group ‘B’ finals took place at St. Anthony Nanka on 3rd of November, 2018 while the group ‘C’ finals took place at St. Anthony’s Parish Abagana on 20th October, 2018. In all, it was a very big success right from the Zonal levels to the finals.
In the group ‘A’ final, St. Joseph’s Parish, Awka emerged the overall winner of the competition, St. Patrick’s parish choir Isuofia came 2nd while St. Peter’s parish choir, Oko came third, out of the 16 champion choirs performed exvellently well. On the Xylophone award, the first position was won by St. Peter’s Choir, Oko, the second position was won by St. Patrick’s Parish Isuofia . St.Dominic’s Parish Adazienu won their own choice best composition while St. Joseph’s Amesi won the best conduction.
In the ‘B’ finals, St. Theresa’s Parish, Oko emerged the overall winner, SS peter and Paul Isuofia came 2nd while St. Micheal’s parish Igboukwu came third. The best conduction was won by St. Theresa’s parish, Oko while the best own choice composition was won the best Xylophonist, St. Theresa’s Parish, Oko came 2nd while St. Micheal’s Nanka came third.
In group ‘C’ finals, St. Anthony’s parish, Oko emerged the overall winner. St. Anthony’s Ifite, Awka came 2nd, while St. Gabriel Okpuno, Awka came third. The conductors of St. Anthony’s choir Oko was the best among all the conductors in group ‘C’ choirs.
While thanking God, the chairman of the Awka Diocsan Liturgical Music Commission and the director of Music in Awka Diocese; Rev. Fr. Innocent Ugomary Obidiegwu expreesed his overwhelming joy and that of all the members of the Music Commission over the great success of the competition. He commended the participated choirs for their excellent performance which demonstrated a very high level of standard in the performance of Church and Liturgical music.
The music director alo thanked His Lordship, the Good shepherd of the catholic Diocese of Awka; Most Rev. Dr Paulinus Ezeokafor and his Auxilary most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye for his great support to the competition and the music commission. The great shepherd who was present in the competition through his chancellor Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Chidumeexpressed his happiness saying that type of occasion is something which people pay gate fees to witness in the foreign countries because of its therapeutic effect in one’s health and longevity. He also pronounced his special awards to the best three Xylophonists. He also gave a scholarship award to a very young boy who was spectacularly exceptional on playing one of the musical instrument Ikoro when St. Joseph’s Parish Ekwulobia was on stage.
Hon. Ego Ugozie, former provost Nwafor Orizu College of Education who was a special guest in the occasion, in her speech, commended the music commission who organized the competition. He also gave a financial supports.
Another special guest; Hon. Peter Okoli, the PRP senatorial aspirant for Awka South Senatorial Zone who is also a renounced choirmaster, composer and an organist expressed his joy in the occasion with some financial support. Many other guests present gave some financial supports.
In the end, the chairman of the Music Commission once more thanked and blessed everybody as the results was announced.
Sing Praises! To the Lord!
