KOHIMA, December 5 (MExN): The 9 competing choirs from different parts of the state created magic on Monday evening as their voices reverberated in the Hockey Ground, IG Stadium Kohima. After two rounds of choral competition, Elevation Men’s Choir was adjudged winner of the 4th edition of the Hornbill Choral Competition 2016 and walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakhs. The first runner up was bagged by The Canticle Singers Choir, Dimapur and received a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, while the Coronation Choir of Golden Crown Theological College Dimapur was adjudged 2nd runner up and awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000. Special prizes were also given to the Best Choir Uniform, which went to Bel Canto Choir and the Best Choir Conductor, which was bagged by Gideon Mesen of Canticle Singers Choir. Other choirs that participated in the competition were Secheku Children’s Choir, Bel Canto Choir, Symphony Choir, Delhi Public School Dimapur, Lotha Baptist Church, Diphupar, and Zeme Baptist Church Kohima. Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour, Alan Gemmell, OBE Minister for Cultural Affairs and Head of British Council India termed Nagaland as the best music making state in the country and went on to say that Nagaland is making world class musicians. Substantiating this, he said, each year, almost 600 musicians from Nagaland present themselves for the Trinity Exam and further informed that the highest graded in Piano in the current year is from Nagaland, which, he said was “incredible.” He further maintained that music changes people’s lives. Pointing out that his job is to use culture and education to strengthen connection between UK and India, he expressed hope to make even deeper and stronger connections through Nagaland. Impressed with the show, he stated happiness at “watching world class musicians making world class music”. It may be noted that the Hornbill International Music Festival is initiated by the Music Task Force, and the 2016 Hornbill Choral Competition was presented by Symphony Production in collaboration with NBCC. The judges for the competition were Asin Shurhozelie, Khyochano Ngully and Akhrou Koza. Dancers United Kohima and Power Faith band also gave special performances.
