Contest revives Machonmi Choir's glorious footprint
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 15 2024: Phungyo Baptist Church Machonmi Choir organised first-of-its-kind choral singing competition, accompanied by prayer and worship services, to celebrate its Golden Jubilee at the Mission Ground in Awontang, Ukhrul town, here, on Friday.

The celebration served as a reminder of the choir's founding as the pioneering group that established an official choir at the Phungyo Baptist Church, the first church in Manipur, back in 1974 on March 15.Interacting with the media on the sidelines of the celebration, Phungyo Baptist Church Machonmi Choir chairman HA Wungnaopam shared some insights about the celebration.

He said that the choral singing competition was a significant aspect of the Golden Jubilee celebration, adding that rationale of organising the competition was to revive the glorious memories of the Machonmi Choir and its accomplishments.

He recalled that in 1974, during the NTNBA Association Meeting held at Khangkhui Khullen, the choir won first place in a choral singing competition.

As a result of this victory, Machonmi Choir was inspired to take on the responsibility of forming the first official choir at Phungyo Baptist Church the same year.

According to Wungnaopam, for mation of Machonmi Choir was a significant milestone for the church, which led to the formation of choir in the church.

'To this day, Machonmi Choir continues to hold a special place in the church, and has continued its contribution towards sustaining and uplifting the standard of church choir,'' he said.

He said that the celebration was a time of reflection and commemoration for the Machonmi Choir.

"Through the choral singing competition, the choir's past achievements are honoured, and we look forward to reviving its legacy for younger generations," he anticipated.

According to Wungnaopam, leader of the Machonmi Choir, the current number of members stands at 38 out of the original 49, as sadly 11 members have passed away.

"At this event, we extended an invitation to choirs from all Baptist churches under TNBC and TBCA to come together and offer prayers for the promotion of peace, unity, and harmony within the Baptist community," he said.

Altogether seven choir teams from different Churches in the town participated in the competition.

The choir of Phungyo Baptist Church, Tangrei was adjudged winner of the competition, while choirs of Phungyo Baptist Church, Thahao/Wino and Viewland Baptist Church secured the second and third position respectively.

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