Chamber Choir

Brief Background

This association was formed to boost up the singing in the seminary. However, it owes its origin to seminarian Vincent Muhindo (Kasese Diocese-2003) who with a group of other students decided to have moments of singing after feeling tired of reading/revising. In fact, it turned out to be a moment of recreation for these students and after that pause, they could go back and settle for reading. They were later joined by some other students and sometimes the staff members joined them; good enough the rector and staff supported this group and they were encouraged to get some other time other than affecting class time. Thereafter, they were to find out how they can incorporate the good melodies into the liturgy; it took the role of animating the liturgical singing practices which automatically became part of the seminary program.

Activities of the chamber choir

It is the chamber choir which leads the community as far as singing is concerned

The members fully participate in the singing of the Christmas and Easter carols and some of these songs are recorded. It is the duty of the chamber choir members (chairman and choirmaster) to allocate the students the hymn books to ensure personal responsibility. They are always preoccupied with the singing, learning and thereafter teaching the community new songs especially the liturgical hymns. Wonderfully selected hymns are chanted as part of the entertainment to the visitors of Kinyamasika Seminary. The chamber choir organizes and makes the sitting arrangement for the students in the chapel. The choir animates and boosts up the liturgy in the nearby institutions on specific days.

Aims and objectives of the chamber choir

To boost up liturgical singing in the seminary by putting into practice the basic knowledge of music and skills acquired in music lectures.

To have students experience the joy of singing and thereafter take-up the same spirit to the ministry. In a way, the choir aims at preparing the members to be good trainers in the future.

To find out the music of the different songs and hymns and later endeavor to teach the rest of the community

To evangelize the community outside the seminary through the songs chanted by the chamber choir members

To give room to incoming composers to have a platform for composing of new songs. In a way, the chamber choir aims at promoting the art of reading and composing music.

Addendum

It is notable that the spirit of singing in Kinyamasika seminary had declined. Some good-willed students who of course had a wonderful interest in music saw it right and fitting to start a separate group of new members who were always seen on the compound busy learning music. As time went by, the chamber choir took over the department of singing in its entirety. Initially, the intention was to get more students who can read and interpret church music. Usually, the choir members meet after supper on Tuesdays and Thursday s for practice. Therefore, the music program is oriented towards future pastoral application of the knowledge and experience acquired in the seminary, for the sake of enhancing liturgical and community life in parishes and dioceses.