FEATURES -
| 2013-07-30The Heavenly Harmonious Polytechnic Choir
Hileni Heita
Poly chior during a performance at the NTN
With two or more voices assigned to each part and every soprano, alto, tenor, and bass sung to perfection, the Polytechnic Choir has established quite the reputation for themselves, both in Namibia and abroad.
The Polytechnic Choir is a registered student society, which was established in 1996. The Poly Choir has been the golden voice of the Polytechnic of Namibia and has been a great marketing tool for the institution. The choir performs at all official functions of its institution free of charge. The Poly Choir has been counted among the top choirs in Namibia. To its members, the choir has created a platform for talent formation, team building, collegiality, professionalism and also for their members to develop their existing artistic and musical talents.
Any student or staff of the Polytechnic of Namibia is eligible join, and graduates from the Polytechnic are also welcome to join. To join, you go through an audition facilitated by the conductor of the choir, Michael Kisting.
“We get to communicate and mingle with people from different ethnic backgrounds which enables us to understand each other and each other’s life experiences better. In turn this prepares us for the working environment where we find people from other tribes,” says choir member and voice co-ordinator for the altos (second voice) Fenni Hamukwaya. She further added that the choir also serves as a home away from home. “We get emotional and psychological support from our fellow choir members and from our loving conductor Mr Kisting. Apart from that, during our motivational tours, we also get the satisfaction of making a difference in other people’s lives, and we get to see different parts of the country that many have only dreamt of visiting.”
In between the performances, the choir holds motivational talks by choir members motivating the youth to further their studies and not to give up because of failure and financial problems. The elderly and general public are also motivated to pursue everyday life challenges with courage and determination. The choir members emphasise that if they believe in God, everything is possible.
In June 2005, they went on an educational tour to South Africa which resulted in a choir partnership with the universities of Potchefstroom and Pretoria. In November of the same year, they staged a musical at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN). Their educational tour to Botswana in 2007 was the second international tour the Poly Choir undertook. Also in 2007, the Poly Choir was the model choir for the Save Our Nation Anti-Corruption Campaign. In 2011 and 2012, the choir has been part of the choral evenings, held at the NTN. Last year, they shared the stage with Pastor Mthunzi Namba from Joyous Celebration Church in South Africa.
The choir also takes part in the following annual Polytechnic events: graduation, career fair, HIV-AIDS campaigns, cultural festival and the outreach programme for the Office of the Dean of Students. The choir also caters for any sector or activity on request.
Last month, the choir had a tour to the south of Namibia which was aimed at motivating young people in the south, north west and in the Omaheke Region with regards to education and life in general. This experience was also used to expose the choir members to the living conditions of the inhabitants in the south, north west and Omaheke Region of Namibia.
After this trip, the choir members started appreciating life more when they realised that they were very fortunate. During their performances, they had a full house at every show and standing ovations were the order of the day. Most importantly, lives were changed completely. Young people were motivated towards furthering their studies and the general public was motivated to pursue their everyday life challenges with courage and determination. Every mouth echoed the name of the Polytechnic of Namibia and their dedication towards their social responsibility.
“While I’ve been a member of the Poly Choir, the experience has been eventful, life changing and has taught me a lot. I’ve learned that, as Mr Kisting would put it, ‘it’s not always what you say but how you say it that matters.’ This choir has a unique touch to it. I just can’t put my finger on it. Singing has always brought joy within my heart, but singing with a group that has a bond as strong as we have and with people who reach out to those in need brings a feeling that’s indescribable to my heart.
One of the things I’ll always cherish is the love that exists in this marvelous choir,” says choir member Roberts Katangolo.
Any student or staff of the Polytechnic of Namibia is eligible join, and graduates from the Polytechnic are also welcome to join. To join, you go through an audition facilitated by the conductor of the choir, Michael Kisting.
“We get to communicate and mingle with people from different ethnic backgrounds which enables us to understand each other and each other’s life experiences better. In turn this prepares us for the working environment where we find people from other tribes,” says choir member and voice co-ordinator for the altos (second voice) Fenni Hamukwaya. She further added that the choir also serves as a home away from home. “We get emotional and psychological support from our fellow choir members and from our loving conductor Mr Kisting. Apart from that, during our motivational tours, we also get the satisfaction of making a difference in other people’s lives, and we get to see different parts of the country that many have only dreamt of visiting.”
In between the performances, the choir holds motivational talks by choir members motivating the youth to further their studies and not to give up because of failure and financial problems. The elderly and general public are also motivated to pursue everyday life challenges with courage and determination. The choir members emphasise that if they believe in God, everything is possible.
In June 2005, they went on an educational tour to South Africa which resulted in a choir partnership with the universities of Potchefstroom and Pretoria. In November of the same year, they staged a musical at the National Theatre of Namibia (NTN). Their educational tour to Botswana in 2007 was the second international tour the Poly Choir undertook. Also in 2007, the Poly Choir was the model choir for the Save Our Nation Anti-Corruption Campaign. In 2011 and 2012, the choir has been part of the choral evenings, held at the NTN. Last year, they shared the stage with Pastor Mthunzi Namba from Joyous Celebration Church in South Africa.
The choir also takes part in the following annual Polytechnic events: graduation, career fair, HIV-AIDS campaigns, cultural festival and the outreach programme for the Office of the Dean of Students. The choir also caters for any sector or activity on request.
Last month, the choir had a tour to the south of Namibia which was aimed at motivating young people in the south, north west and in the Omaheke Region with regards to education and life in general. This experience was also used to expose the choir members to the living conditions of the inhabitants in the south, north west and Omaheke Region of Namibia.
After this trip, the choir members started appreciating life more when they realised that they were very fortunate. During their performances, they had a full house at every show and standing ovations were the order of the day. Most importantly, lives were changed completely. Young people were motivated towards furthering their studies and the general public was motivated to pursue their everyday life challenges with courage and determination. Every mouth echoed the name of the Polytechnic of Namibia and their dedication towards their social responsibility.
“While I’ve been a member of the Poly Choir, the experience has been eventful, life changing and has taught me a lot. I’ve learned that, as Mr Kisting would put it, ‘it’s not always what you say but how you say it that matters.’ This choir has a unique touch to it. I just can’t put my finger on it. Singing has always brought joy within my heart, but singing with a group that has a bond as strong as we have and with people who reach out to those in need brings a feeling that’s indescribable to my heart.
One of the things I’ll always cherish is the love that exists in this marvelous choir,” says choir member Roberts Katangolo.
