Harmonious Chorale Ghana emerges victorious at festival

“We dedicate these awards to you,” the choir's social media team posted on Facebook. “Thank you for your continuous support.”

Its awards include the Instrumentalist of the Year Award for Augustine Sobeng, the principal organist of the group; Composer of the Year for James Varrick Armaah, executive director of the band; Song of the Year for 'Nea wode me abedu Yi' composed by James Varrick Armaah and performed by the band, which is the resident choir of the Salt and Light Music Ministry that became victorious. 

Besides winning the big one, Choir of the Year, other awards won by the group include the Easter Concert of the Year Award for its Festival of Praise and Worship 2; Oratorio of the Year for the group's performance of 'Joseph and his Brethren'; Female Vocalist of the Year for Lordina Eugenia Osei's soprano (Harmonious Chorale, Ghana).

The event, which was held at the National Theatre, saw Kweku Acquaah Harrison named the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Samuel Appau Aheng took the award for Choral Music Promotion.

The awards scheme began recognising choral music players in Ghana three years ago. This edition marks the third consecutive time the choir, which plays under the leadership of James Varrick Armaah and Joyce Aryee, as the third consecutive time the choir has won the big award at the ceremony.

The winners emerge in several categories by courting public votes, which amount to 50% of total votes, with board members and professionals in the choral music field accounting for the other half. 

Full list of winners below:

• Discovery Choir of the Year – Kasoa Youth Choir
• Album of the Year – Celestial Praise by Celestial City Choir
• Composer's Concert of the Year – An Afternoon with Emmanuel Owusu by Melodious Chorale & One Voice Choir Ghana
• Humanitarian Concert of the Year – A Dinner & Concert with the Orphans by Adehyemba Chorale
• Choral Sound Engineer of the Year – Mido Productions
• Choral Producer of the Year – Kofi Dua Anto (KODA)
• Introductory Program of the Year – Grazioso by Symphonials
• Oratorio of the Year – Joseph & His Brethren by Harmonious Chorale
• Composer of the Year – James Varrick Armaah (Hamonious Chorale)
• Male Vocal of the Year – Theophilus Osei Sarfo (Tenor) of the Celestial City Choir
• Female Vocal of the Year – Lordina Eugenia Osei (Soprano) of Harmonious Chorale
• Easter Concert of the Year – Festival of Praise & Worship by Harmonious Chorale
• Christmas Concert of the Year – FoS (Wise Men Still Seek Jesus) by Gramophone Ghana
• Institution Concert of the Year – Singing With Meaning by Pax Choir UG
• Choral Song of the Year – Nea Wode Me Abeduru Nie by James Varrick Armaah of Harmonious Chorale
• Choir of the Year – Harmonious Choral