Hymnodia, Hymnogbam, Hymnotastic… call it whatever you like. From the very first stanza, Hymnodia has been something to look forward to. The faculty and the Hymntestants have managed to make hymns, which most people would find boring so interesting and exciting. In the last stanza, the hymntestants had entertained us with hymns in their mother tongue. It was a wonderful time we had celebrating the Nigerian culture. It is the 9th stanza and there are 9 Hymntestants remaining in the Hymnstitute.
The theme for the night was ‘hymns in pidgin’. The Hymntestants would be singing popular hymns translated in pidgin English, while still preserving the meaning and message of the song. It was the faculty day at the hymnstitute. Hence, all members of the faculty were seated at the judges’ table. Present were: Seun Owoaje, the music director, Ajibola Bolaji, the Rector and choir master, Ben Ogbeiwi, the Dean of the Hymnstitute and Onyeka Onwenu, a music veteran and a judge.
Olumide opened the floor with ‘Na Me Be The Bread Of Life’, Mobolanle followed with a wonderful performance of ‘Shower Of Blessing Go Full Ground’, Uduak sang ‘Ten Touzand Angels’, Juliet performed ‘Jesus Must Hear Me’, Jemine brought the house down with her performance of ‘No Retreat And No Surrender’, Kenneth the Baritone gave a wonderful performance of ‘As E Dey Alive’, Abigael entertained us with ‘Dis Na My Story’, Blessing gave a breathtaking performance of ‘No Waka Pass Me My Saviour’ and Rachael closed the night with her performance of ‘Who E Be’.
After fun-filled night with beautiful performances, Olumide and Abigael were declared the two hymntestants with outstanding performances for the night. While, Blessing, Juliet, Mobolanle and Uduak were unfortunately put on probation and they would be spending the entire probation week in the wilderness. Their fates are in the hands of the voters.
We look forward to the next stanza, it promises to be exciting and entertaining.
As always, stay tuned to Hymnodia.