Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 12
Sumi Baptist Church Kohima (SBCK) Youth Choir outperformed six other choirs to win the first ever All Sumi Music Fest’ in the Choir Competition held at Sumi Baptist Church Kohima Sunday evening.
SBCK Youth Choir won the hearts of the gathering and the judges with their technicality, musicality, difficulty level of the song and overall performance as they sang “And He shall purify.” Aptly conducted Lhonito Shohe, the choir presented the song with much professionalism amidst the applause from the gathering. The choir won Rs.50,000 as prize money. Soli Deo Gloria, also from SBCK came second and won a prize money of Rs.30,000 while the choir from Zunheboto Town Sumi Baptist Church (Aizuto) came third and won a prize money of Rs.25,000. Vikeyito Noel won the best conductor award.
Earlier, exhorting the gathering, Hosheto Achumi, transport commissioner, Nagaland recalled how the “singing” has changed tremendously at SBCK over time with the ushering of “Revival” among the Sumis. He lauded the efforts of the youth department of SBCK for organising the festival which he said, would set a platform for many musicians in the years to come.
Stating that the present generation of youth are a “fortunate lot”, Achumi urged them to make the best use of the facilities and and amenities of the modern world and become “global citizens”. He also called upon the Sumi youth to introspect and retrospect among themselves and be agent of change among the Naga society.
The judges for the choral competition were Hojevi Kappo, Music Promoter, WSBAK, James Swu, Director of Studies, Nagaland Conservatory of Music and Priskali Achumi, Music Director, SBCK. A special musical presentation on the Hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” was presented by Hijevi Kappo, James Swu and Akato. Bokato Kiho, winner of Naga’s Got Talent also made a special presentation on the guitar.
The Music Fest was organised by the Youth Department of the Sumi Baptist Church Kohima and the competition was held in “Band” and “Choir” category. On Saturday evening, the “Amazing Gospel Band” from Zunheboto Sumi Baptist Church (Aizuto) had won the “band” competition beating 7 other bands that took part in the first ever All Sumi Music Fest. As part of the Fest, a “Talk on HIV/AIDS” was also organised on Sunday afternoon where Dr.Vinito Chishi, state consultant, Legislators’ Forum on AIDS was the resource person and Ainato Yeptho, asst.director, Youth Affairs, NSACS was the moderator.
