Lagos City Chorale smashes world music records in Magdeburg, celebrates laurels

Nigeria’sindigenous classical music ambassador, Lagos City Chorale, recently staged live performance of dramatised songs and dance that won the group three gold medals in folklore, contemporary and chamber music at this year’s second European International Choir Olympics competition organised by Interkultur in Magdeburg Germany. With this feat, the group became one of the highest gold scorers of the competition.
The concert, which was a celebration of art through music, took place at the Agip Hall of the MUSON Centre Onikan, Lagos. It kicked off with William Runyan-styled tune of “Great is thy F aithfulness” to show appreciation to God for being kind to the group in the last five years when it began to represent the country in different international folkloric musical engagements with many laurels to show for it.
The renditions went on successively with the psalmist’s “I Was Glad Chant”, “Halleluiah! Praise ye the Lord”, courtesy of Louis Lewandowski, “Ma Ndi na-eleya anya Jehovah” (Those who wait upon Jehovah) by Sam Ojukwu, “Alleluia Chin lee” arranged by Chinedu Osinigwe, who was nicknamedAgidigba inMagdeburgby the contingents, because of the way he delivered the Igbo song “Agidigba ka Chineke di” (God is mighty)and “Messiah Baba mi”by Ayo Oluranti. While some of the offerings were mellow soulful lullaby that can send a kindergarten to sleep, others assumed fast tempo and danceable beats.
The duet of Italian Guiseppe Verdi’s “La donnae-mobile” and “Edi Capua” by two tenors; Fred Asupo Duke and Benson Utomi earned the duo a standing ovation and resounding applause.
There were yet another thrilling dry solo showpieces from Opera Fierdemaus by Johann Stause’ laughing song entitled “Mein Heir Marguis” rendered by Nigeria’s soprano singer, Ifunanya Anekwe, which enraptured the lively audience, and the native clothed choir’s electrifying fast beat tempo Efik song entitled “Yak Ikom Abasi”(Praise the Lord) struck with popular Efik dance steps that involved the wriggling of waist and Osinigwe’s arranged “Agidigba ka Chineke di”renditions, blended withazontodance steps.
The group, which performed alongside over 400 countries from across the world, equally rendered medley of songs that extolled the supremacy of God as well as a tribute song to Lagos spirit for its multi-cultural state, dedicated to the Governor of the State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. It was taggedEko Akete.His Excellency, former Head of Interim Government of Nigeria, Chief Ernest Shonekan who graced the event also got a dedication of a song entitled “Mayo Mayo Ori Oluwa” (Rejoice in the goodness of God).
The behind-the-scene crew also took time off to play clips of the chorale group’s showing in the European competition, which revealed how tourists to the event throng to theirs rehearsals arena to appreciate the Nigeria contingents.
The group, which sings in various Nigerian languages, has been to various countries of the world, including Norway, Brazil and Australia where it showcased various abilities of Nigeria to international stages as a way of re-branding the country.
Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, said he was thrilled by the group’s performance noting that the group, which he has followed for many years, has won several accolades from across the world.
He said that the festival witnessed several choirs that competed but the group came back with three gold awards. He said, “Some of the countries that competed may not have heard about Nigeria but the group represented the country thus etching her name among comity of nations”.
Anyaoku wondered why the Nigeria government had not reached out to the group like it had done in sports whenever the country won laurels in international engagements, urging the authorities to recognise and celebrate the group.
Self-tutored harmonium player and organist Sir Emeka Nwokedi led the group, which was founded in 1988. Anyaoku recalled, “It is a group that composed of a very dedicated Nigerians. They have been traveling round the world competing in a number of musical festivals and winning medals.
“They have competed in the champions competitions of the world’s biggest choral festival; the 8thworld games in Riga Latvia, and won three silver medals, Cincinnati Ohio, United States where they equally won three silver medals in three different categories of the champions completions, and Grado Italy, during its 7th International Choir Festival, “Isola del Sale.” The group came home with a silver and a gold medal from two categories of the competition, and just last July they won three gold medals in Magdeburg Germany and were celebrated for bringing honour to the country.”