Hymns have never been sweeter, better and more dramatic. Hymnodia season 1 kicked off with auditions that welcomed over 200 contestants hoping to become Hymntestants. Choristers, musicians and music aficionados from all over Nigeria turned up for the auditions.
It was a beautiful time to be a lover of hymnals as voices warmed up all over the LTV Ikeja premises where the auditions were held. Contestants were invited in front of Judges and were asked to show what they’ve got. Some went for the popular hymns, others went for obscure ones and some simply did not sing! The contestants were screened and evaluated based on their musicality, technicality, performance and personality.
The panelists included Dupe Ige Kachi, a renowned singer and vocal coach, Sunday Olawuwo – Music Director of Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Seun Owoaje, Music Director of Hymnodia, and Ben Ogbeiwi, Dean of the Hymnstitute. To test their mettle, successful hymntestants were asked to write and present their own hymns for the second round of the auditions. Hearing those self-composed melodies from our vibrant hymntestants was definitely a satisfying experience.
Thereafter, a streamlined list of 26 was selected into the post audition evaluations by the faculty. It was difficult, but it had to be done. They were analyzed and reviewed one by one and the requisite 14 were selected to become the first Hymntestants in the Hymnstitute: they are Enenche, Blessing, Abiodun, Uduak, Juliet, Kenneth, Ayodeji, Rachael, Mobolanle, Rioja, Olumide, Abigael, David and Jemine
The admissions day finally arrived and the 14 Hymntestants were present. David Jones David, an eclectic creative was announced the Anchor for Hymnodia season one and anchor for the day. our host for the day and he entertained us with jokes and little renditions of his own. He introduced the 14 contestants to serenade us, but they were 15! Even David Jones David seemed confused.
However, the Dean of the Hymnstitute took to the stage and explained that Casey Edema was a qualified contestant who didn’t quite have the chance to prove himself during the audition and that he would have to battle it out with one of the Hymntestants in a wild card challenge. He picked out Kenneth from the ballot!
Everyone was glued to their seats in anticipation. After a thrilling round of vocal lows and pitching highs, Kenneth, a baritone opera singer who performed ‘Old Rugged Cross’ won against Casey’s enthralling rendition of ‘Great is thy faithfulness’ and retained his position in the Hymnstitute.
The Hymntestants entered the Hymnstitute but Kenneth was nowhere to be found. Where is Kenneth? Everyone asked. After the male Hymntestants ‘strategised’ and formed search parties, they still could not find him. The Dean introduced himself and his faculty members to the Hymntestants after which they settled in nicely.
It was definitely an eventful day for the Hymntestants and an exciting one for us.
14 Hymntestants, one winner. The winner will get the ASAPH, the ultimate hymn reward; 5 million naira in cash and a brand-new car. The Hymntestants certainly have all to sing for and we can’t wait to see what will happen next in Hymnodia season one! Stay tuned.