17 Jun 2024

The Soul Redeemers Gospel Choir emerged victorious in the recently concluded National Arts Festival’s Southern region Clap ‘n Tap category competition, held in Letlhakeng over the weekend. 

The category, introduced this year, saw 12 choirs from the region battle it out, impressing the judges and audience alike with their unique blend of gospel music and rhythmic dancing. 

Speaking on behalf of the village leadership, Mothusi Ramogolwane applauded the ministry’s move to include the Clap ‘n Tap genre in the festival. 

“The Clap ‘n Tap category has the potential to make a significant impact on our community. Music has the power to heal the soul, and I believe that it could help address some of the social ills that our youth face, like depression and suicide,” he stated. 

Ramogolwane further said he was especially pleased to see so many young people participating in the competition, adding that ‘music can be a positive outlet for our youth, helping them to stay engaged and focused, rather than turning to crime or other destructive behaviours’. 

Music expert and adjudicator, Lazarus Gadiinewe elaborated on the criteria used to judge the choirs’ performances, providing valuable insights for the participating groups to improve their craft.

“Music is a language of inner feelings, and choirs must express these emotions on stage to connect with the audience and convey their message,” he stated. 

Furthermore, he said music also represented beauty, and choirs should strive for control and precision in their singing to create harmony.

“Owning the stage is also crucial, therefore choirs should use the stage effectively to engage the audience and create an immersive experience,” Gadiinewe continued.

“This involves mastering choreography, utilising stage props, and maintaining eye contact with the audience,” he said. 

He also stressed the importance of creativity, saying musicians were creators of their own art and therefore choirs should experiment with different musical patterns and choreography to make their performances unique and captivating.  

In addition, he touched on the importance of diction and tone in a choir’s performance. He stressed that clear and precise pronunciation of words was critical in ensuring that the choir’s message is conveyed effectively. 

“Each syllable and consonant should be pronounced with clarity and precision,” he added.  

Additionally, he stated that choirs should also strive to maintain a consistent and pleasing tone throughout their performance, adjusting their volume and pitch to suit the song and convey the intended emotion. Gadiinewe’s remarks were well received by the choirs, who were eager to learn and improve their skills.

Several choir directors expressed gratitude for the feedback, pledging to incorporate the suggestions into their future performances.

The Soul Redeemers Gospel Choir, elated with their victory, graciously expressed their appreciation to the judges. 

Formed in May 2017, and based in Gaborone, the choir delighted the audience with their renditions of Joko ya hao e bobebe and emerged triumphant in the competition.

The choir’s founder, Daniel Ramo said the group was a non-profit organisation made up of youth from different churches. 

He emphasised the importance of community choirs, stating that they played a vital role in uplifting the spirits of the vulnerable and keeping them engaged. 

On the choir’s historic win, Ramo said: “This victory is a testament to God’s divine plan since the competition was very intense, but we knew that our success was not just about us, but that of our industry,” he said. 

Tiisetso Masasa, the chairperson of the Clap ‘n Tap Choirs of Botswana Association, expressed his delight at the long-awaited inclusion of the clap ‘n tap genre in the National Arts Festival competitions. Ends