Zim College of Music partners Africa University
By Own Correspondent
The Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) has thrown a lifeline at aspiring music studies students who in the past failed to enroll on the full time program.
This comes as Africa University Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Munashe Furusa announced the developments during his speech at the 10th ZCM graduation ceremony on Friday in Harare.
The event saw 160 music students among them famous Mbira Queen Hope Masike conferred with certificates and degrees in Jazz music and Ethnomusicology.
Masike who is now a holder of a Bachelor of Music in Jazz joins several other musicians who have bagged educational qualifications including Charles Charamba (Bachelor of Music in Jazz), Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave (Bachelor of Science in Sociology Degree from the Women’s University in Africa) and Namatai Chipanga (Certificate in Music Instrument and Performance Skills).
“Zimbabwe College of Music and Africa University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences are working on modalities towards the implementation of the program. Certainly such a venture speaks volumes of a trusted continuous relationship geared for achievement of set goals,” Professor Furusa said.
The guest of honour at the ceremony chief executive officer of POSB said Admore Kandlela applauded the role being played by ZCM saying it was fulfilling its objectives.
“People’s Own Savings Bank is firmly passionate to support arts industries in general and in particular the music arts industry in Zimbabwe and it is for this noble idea that POSB has joined forces with ZCM to refine the infrastructure for the creation of a conducive learning environment,” Kandlela said.
Zimbabwe College of Music executive director Rachel Jera-Chigwanda said the institution was committed in their quest to deepen music knowledge and to expand its appreciation not only in Zimbabwe but globally.
Mono Mukundu and Charles Chipanga pose for a photograph with some of the graduands
“Zimbabwe College of Music remains committed and focused as pacesetters in offering embracive programs that are intended to satisfy the demands of students with countless needs,” she said.
“We do have a very important role to play towards the development of music industry in the country and beyond its borders. The success of our degree program owes its genesis to Africa University which supervises our standards.”
ZCM is the oldest formal music training institution in the country that specialises in music lessons (Ethnomusicology) having started as far back as 1948.
ZCM offers diversified programs that meet the needs of the industry with a vision to be the most sought after institution in training and developing musical arts professionals in Africa.
Over the years, many graduates have been churned out and some are working professionally in the academic world while others have pursued music administration and performance as a career.
Some of the most notable names from the ZCM graduates include former Harare International Festival of the Arts director Manuel Bagorro, the late James Chimombe and Louis Mhlanga.
