FILLED to capacity with even no standing room,best describes the attendance of the recently held silver Jubilee celebration of the Lagos City Chorale and Orchestra held at the Agip Hall of the MUSON centre Onikan. A number of dignitaries turned up to support the international award winning choir which also had in the group, a number of choristers from the Musical Society of Nigeria itself.

The 25th anniversary was marked with the presentation of perhaps the world’s most popular and imperishable oratorio “The Messiah” composed by George Frideric Handel and was delivered as composed in its three parts with text from the bible that expresses musically, the birth of Christ, the passion of Christ and the hope of redemption of the world. Superbly delivered, it held the audience spell bound for its over 2 hours presentation.

*Sir Emeka Nwokedi conducting Lagos choir.

It featured 3 soprano soloists, 2 Alto soloists, 2 Tenor soloists and 2 Bass soloists. Leader of the orchestra was kehinde Davids and on the organ was Alaba Akinselure. The over 70-man strong choir and orchestra was directed by Sir Emeka Nwokedi who is currently the director of the MUSON choir.

Nwokedi, has been in the forefront of chorale music for over 40 years and co-founded the Lagos City Chorale with the late Senator Lere Adesina in 1988.

Only last year in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, the choir won 3 silver medals for Nigeria in 3 categories when they contested in the World Choir Games. The event had a congregation of 350 choirs from 65 countries in attendance. This, along with other international appearances have putting them on the world map as a force to be reckoned with in chorale music.

The choir has been invited to participate in the forthcoming 1st European choir games taking place in Graz Austria from 14-21st July 2013.

The Lagos City Chorale has special interest in developing Nigerian Indigenous Chorale Music to the point of universal value, international recognition and acceptance, hence it showcases sufficiently Nigeria’s rich indigenous chorale music at all its international performances.