Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel
THE STORY
The Asiwaju of Remo Christians Choir Festival is an annual gathering for choral performances by various church choirs, choral groups Nationwide. The programme, which started about 16 years ago as part of the annual family thanksgiving programme of Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel at the International Ecumenical Worship Centre, "ABRAHAM TABERNACLE", Sagamu, Ogun State, a worship place he built to honour God and immortalize his late father, His Grace, Most Revd Abraham Adebola Daniel, JP (1916 - 2011).
The Choir Festival has spiritual and moral essence for preaching the gospel through music and improving singing in churches. This is reflected in the motto of the festival; "improving the art of singing in our churches". It was separated and expanded as a distinct programme and rebranded, "The Choir Festival" in 2022, which marked the maiden edition. As the name suggests, the annual Choir Festival is hosted by Asiwaju of Remo Christians, Otunba Engr. Gbenga Daniel, who is the initiator and founder of this laudable programme.
He was inspired by the need to promote singing in churches in the community and beyond. Several organisations, companies and individuals have now shown interest to become partners for the programme, as its scope and impact as a vehicle for spiritual growth through singing, continue to increase.
The Host, Initiator and Founder
Now in its third edition, this year's Choir Festival came up on Sunday, 16th of June, 2024, with the theme "Messiah My Father". The venue for this programme is The Abraham Tabernacle Church, Oba Erinwole Road, G.R.A, Sagamu, an Ecumenical Worship Center.
The aim of the programme is to promote and enhance singing in churches in the community and Nigeria at large. The programme now draws choirs from various churches, Chorales at every edition, with the host choir, the Abraham Tabernacle Choir and the choir that is defending the title won in the previous edition, the only choirs guaranteed automatic qualification each year. Other choirs qualify to participate in the programme would be through invitation and audition.
There are various categories of grading for the Choir Festival, which are vocal quality, diction/articulation, interpretation, audience appreciation/response, dynamics and appearance. The Festival Director who also doubles as the Executive Secretary of the BOT is maestro, Dr. Opeyemi Adeyinka Asaolu, a Lecturer at the Department of Music, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
