Choristers geared up for the 2016 NCF finals

The countdown to the finals of the biggest choral music festival in Southern Africa has begun. The 2016 Old Mutual National Choir Festival (NCF) will take place on the weekend of December 10 and 11 at the Ellis Park Indoor Arena in Johannesburg.

This year’s showdown is set to be even bigger and better with new comers representing Botswana and Lesotho expected to take centre stage and on its 39th edition this year, the NCF has become the most recognised and well-loved festival in the choral music fraternity.

“The Old Mutual National Choir Festival prides itself on its rich heritage of cultivating talent and enabling positive futures, and this year will be no different.

“Over the past 39 years we have enjoyed exceptional talent and each and every choir has poured out its heart and soul on stage, moving and thrilling generations of audiences,” said Bandile Mngoma, Old Mutual sponsorship manager.

https://twitter.com/OldMutualSA/status/795996876193615873

A total of 22 choirs will battle it out for top honours and a cash prize of R100 000, R90 000 and R80 000 for first, second and third place respectively in the large category.

Winners in the standard category will take home R74 000, R64 000 and R54 000 for first, second and third place respectively.

In addition to these prizes, all choirs taking part in the finals have already earned themselves an average of R11 000 for surviving the elimination stages and reaching the finals.

The competition kicked off with the district elimination in March and followed by the regionals which took place between August and October. This year, more than 150 choirs came out to play during the elimination process.

Kopano Chorus and Sound of the Nation are back again to represent Gauteng after putting on an impressive show at last year’s finals held at the City of Roses.

Chief adjudicator, Thami Zungu said it’s going to be a tough one for the judging panel.

“Being a chief adjudicator for the NCF has become similar to being the coach of Orlando Pirates.

“If there are six marks below or above what people are expecting, it gets very hot in the kitchen,” jokes Zungu. He went on to wish all the participating choirs best of luck for this year’s competition.

Last year’s winners in the large category, SA Singers from KZN and Simon Estes Alumni from the Western Cape in the standard category are back to defend their tittles.

“2016 has been a great year and our festival has grown tremendously since its inception in 1977. It is currently the biggest choral music competition in Southern Africa.

“What is wonderful to see is that its influence extends way beyond music; its positive energy ripples into the lives of individuals, families, and their communities,” said Mngoma.