By Jimmy Chazama & Sam Banda Jnr:
Music Crossroads Malawi has unveiled renowned musician and producer Lawi, veteran gospel musician Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango and seasoned creative Liz Kalonde Mwenefumbo as judges for this year’s Battle of the Band’s Directors’ Merit Awards.
Now in its fifth edition, the Battle of the Bands Director’s Merit Awards—to be held on Saturday at the EU Ambassador’s Residence in Lilongwe—is a music competition for students at Music Crossroads Academy.
Music Crossroads Malawi Director Mathews Mfune said Wednesday that they were excited to have the three judges.
“The three judges are experienced and professionals and, so, we are happy to have them in the spirit of transparency,” he said.
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Mfune said the Battle of Bands Directors’ Merit Awards is more than just a competition, adding that it is a celebration of growth, commitment and artistic identity.
“Our students are not only learning music; they are learning confidence, collaboration and professionalism,” he said.
Mfune further said that the students were divided into six bands with each band given three tasks of Malawi’s traditional musical culture, selection of a song and rearranging, rearranging a popular local song and rearranging an international track.
He said the stage would be explosive as the bands have been rehearsing for the past six months.
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Kalonde Mwenefumbo hailed Music Crossroads Malawi for giving her a chance to give back to them through sitting on the panel.
“I started my professional career at Music Crossroads Malawi in 2012 with just my degree and no work experience but I got the experience,” she said.
Funded by the European Union Delegation, over K1 million has been set aside for the awards, with the winner expected to receive K700,000.
The runner-up and third act will receive K300,000 and K175,000, respectively.
There will also be prizes of K50,000 each for individual players such as Best Pianist, Best Guitarist, Best Bassist, Best Drummer, Best Vocalist and Best Wind instrumentalist.
One of the students, Maureen Hazel Kantchowa, said she was looking forward to the event.
“We need these platforms if we are to improve, in terms of stage management, teamwork and coordination,” Kantchowa said.
The Battle of the Bands Director’s Merit Awards will be spiced up by musician Maggie Kadrum, who is also a product of Music Crossroads Academy.
