Meet I5 Talents Competing In Hymnodia 2020

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

The Season 2 of the Hymnodia, the first-ever indigenous reality TV show created around hymns, praise and worship songs, opened last Sunday February 23. 

15 talented ‘Hymntestants’ are already slugging it out at the house located in Lagos, Nigeria.

Hymnodia, a wholesome reality-type multi-prong programme revolving around members of a world-class choir of Nigerians who contest for the status of best hymnodists while collaborating to render soul-lifting renditions as a choir, is designed to refocus the audience and society in celebrating the almost forgotten art and value of hymn-writing and renditions in diverse forms.

“We promised that Hymnodia 2020 will be entertaining, educative and edifying, the Triple-E promise. Today, we look back at the beginning as we prepare to launch out with a new season on the hymntastic journey,” said Kufre Ekanem, Executive Producer of Hymnodia. 

The show has been receiving a huge endorsements from various bodies including the Christians Association Of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria.

The television broadcast of Season 2 will be on various television channels every Sunday and Wednesday from March 1, 2020.

The concert of Hymns, the Hymncert, which will serve as the grand finale of Hymnodia 2020 will hold on Thursday, May 7 or 14 (depending on which location wins the nod of the faculty to host the finale.)

The ultimate winner of Hymnodia 2020 will win the ASAPH, the proprietary trophy named after King David’s choirmaster and co-writer of the Psalms from the Bible.

The ASAPH was designed in Nigeria, finished in Spain and manufactured in China. It is symbolic of all that Hymnodia stands for worship, singing, hymns, edification, education, and wholesome entertainment.

Only one is given out each year and in addition to the ASAPH, the winner will get a brand-new car and the sum of N5 million cash. 

Meet all the hymntestants:

HYMNTESTANT NO 1

ID: JESSICA

Jessica Etta is a fresh graduate awaiting the call to NYSC. A sonorous singer with a warm disposition and a generous smile. Jessica is in the Hymnstitute to improve her skills, learn more and prove herself on the grand stage. She is Cross River-born and a chorister at Christ the King Catholic Chaplaincy, Owerri, Imo State. Her favourite hymn is Praise to the Lord, The Almighty.  Jessica is an alto.

HYMNTESTANT NO 2

ID: VICTOR

Victor Ige is a tailor and a music enthusiast. A member of several choral singing groups with a love for meeting new people. Victor loves camping and believes the Hymnstitute will be a natural habitat as he tests his church music limits.  Victor is an Oyo State indigene but speaks Bini in addition to his native Yoruba. He is a chorister at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Gbaja, Surulere, Lagos.  His favourite hymn is Once In Royal David’s City. Victor is a Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 3

ID: JSON

Johnson ‘Json’ Ikpeama is a student and a musician. A lover of ‘God music’, Json started a Foundation for taking care of orphans and took a one-year time off from his University education to sing for God before succeeding in entering the Hymnstitute at the second time of asking. Json is from Mbaise in Imo State. He is a chorister of the Basilica of Grace Anglican Church, Gudu, Abuja. His favourite hymn is “Be Still My soul”. Json is a Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 4

ID: YINKA

Yinka Erinle Odunayo, a mother of two, a mass communications graduate and a caterer. A lover of reading, singing and meeting people. She is a versatile soloist with over 10 years singing experience spanning many singing ensembles. She is a chorister at her home church, Celestial Church of Christ, Akoka Parish, Lagos. Her favourite hymns are eclectic: the Yoruba hymn “E korin ke gborin” and the classic “All Creatures of our God and King”. Yinka is a Soprano.

HYMNTESTANT NO 5

ID: ECHEZONA

Echezona Christopher Okekeifi is an ICT specialist and a soloist. An impactful worshipper with stage presence, Echezona is an advert for hymns and church music in all their forms.  In his spare time, he loves singing, playing and gaming. Echezona is from Anambra State. He is a chorister at the St James Anglican Church, Asokoro Abuja. His favourite hymn is the all-time great “My God How Wonderful Thou Art”. He is a Baritone.

HYMNTESTANT NO 6

HYMNTESTANT ID: CHRISTIANA

Christiana Oluwatoyin Oluwatobi is an Economist by training, a children educator by vocation and a musician by passion. A lover of writing, singing and acting, Christiana has the toolkit to succeed in the crucible of the Hymnstitute. Christiana entered for Hymnodia to improve her confidence and find basis for self-expression through music. She is a chorister at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos. Her favourite hymn is The Solid Rock Praise to the Lord, The Almighty.  Christiana is a Soprano.

HYMNTESTANT NO 7

HYMNTESTANT ID: DUKE

Duke Asuquo is a musician, IT consultant and a ‘God lover’. A singer, hymn lover and associate music director, Duke believes the sacrifice of staying away from his family and work will be justified with the learning he will receive at the Hymnstitute.  Duke is a veteran of the classical singing circuit with proven ability as a soloist. Duke is of Calabar, Cross River State origin. He is a chorister at The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Festac Town Parish, Lagos.  His favourite hymn is “‘Tis So Sweet”. Duke is a Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 8

HYMNTESTANT ID: EMMANUEL

Emmanuel Onubogu is a music prodigy and hold post-graduate qualifications in Music Elocution. A founder of several chorale groups and programs in promotion of church music. Emmanuel, an Imo State born who is coming to Hymnodia “with a full package of all I love in music and worship”. With a conflict resolution capability and teaching skills in tow, Emmanuel could be a peacemaker among the Hymntestants. He is a chorister at the Valleyside Seventh Day Adventist Church, Oregun, Ikeja Lagos.  Emmanuel has no declared favourite among the hymns. Emmanuel is a Baritone.

HYMNTESTANT NO 9

HYMNTESTANT ID: EDIOMO

Ediomo Akpan is prolific musician whose refers to himself as a ‘church boy’. Soft spoken and self-effacing, his quiet mien belies the voice strength he carries when he starts to sing. A graduate of the ABRSM Advanced Chorale Singing program, Ediomo has sung in several choirs over the past 9 years. Ediomo is a pseudo-polyglot, he speaks English, Spanish and his native language Annang. He is an Akwa Ibom-born, Lagos-bred soloist with proficiency on the classical flute. He is a chorister at the House On The Rock Church, Lekki, Lagos. His favourite hymn is A Mighty Fortress is our God. Ediomo is Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 10

HYMNTESTANT ID: ELIZABETH

Elizabeth Olaitan is a music teacher, classical singer and worship leader. Elizabeth is a “proud daughter of Ibadan” Oyo State and splits her time into teaching music across a divergent studentship from primary school up to the professional levels. She counts talking and singing as her hobbies. She has over 20 years’ singing experience across genres. She is a chorister and worship leader at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Victoria Island, Lagos. Her favourite hymn is “To God be the glory”. Elizabeth is a Soprano.

HYMNTESTANT NO 11

HYMNTESTANT ID: FRANK

Frank Okoye is an estate valuer turned classical soloist. In his words, “I just love to sing and worship with all my heart”. Despite his renown, Frank sees himself as “still a learner”. Every singing opportunity is a big opportunity for him. Thus, he entered Hymnodia to seize an opportunity for greatness. Supremely confident yet humble in his disposition, this Anambra State born worshipper has more than two decades of singing experience. He is a chorister at St James Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja.  His favourite hymn is “God Is Working His Purpose Out”. Frank is a Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 12

HYMNTESTANT ID: OGOCHUKWU

Ogochukwu Onwuelingo is a psychologist, ex-banker and a baker with music as a natural detour. She has a fresh, unladen voice and she confesses “hymns are part of me”. This mother of two has been a chorister for 14 years and entered Hymnodia to join in spreading the good news of hymns. Ogochukwu believes the Hymnstitute will be tasking but aims to realise her own potentials no matter how it goes. Her hobbies are singing, cooking/baking and meeting people. She is a chorister at St. Denis Catholic Church, Akoka/Bariga and she speaks Yoruba better than her Igbo mother tongue. Her favourite hymn is “God give us Christian homes”. Ogochukwu is a Soprano.

HYMNTESTANT NO 13

HYMNTESTANT ID: STEPHEN

Stephen Nwosu is a full-time musician, though he read estate management in school. He is comfortable and even precocious at the same level in both classical and contemporary renditions of church music. Stephen has over 12 years singing experience. His other hobbies outside singing are tennis and cooking. He speaks Yoruba and Igbo languages fluently and can sing in them too. In addition to singing, Stephen plays the saxophone and the clarinet. He worships and sings as a chorister at the Holy Trinity Church, Ikoyi, Lagos. His favourite hymn is “Master the tempest is raging”. Stephen is a Tenor.

HYMNTESTANT NO 14

HYMNTESTANT ID: MARGARET

Margaret Thomas is a vivacious soloist with a disarming personality. She is an accountant by training, an ex-banker and a part time student but her greatest joy comes when she sings. She is driven to succeed in all that she does, so she is looking forward to conquering the challenge of the Hymnstitute. She comes to Hymnodia to find herself and serve God with her vocal cords. Margaret is fulfilled making it into the Hymnstitute considering the talents she saw at the auditions. A native of Zangon-Kataf in Kaduna, Margaret speaks Hausa, Igbo and her native Pyap fluently. Her hobbies are singing, baking and reading. She is a chorister at St. Simon Catholic Church, Mararaba, Kaduna. Her favourite hymn is “Christ Be Our Light”. Margaret is a Soprano.

HYMNTESTANT NO 15

HYMNTESTANT ID: ENENCHE

Jacob Enenche Okwori is a singer and composer with unfinished business at the Hymnstitute. In pursuit of his professional qualifications, his sojourn in Hymnodia 2019 was terminated midway. The Dean promised him automatic admission to season 2. Fast forward 12 months later, Enenche has become a full-fledged medical doctor and tucked in one year of housemanship under his belt too. He can’t wait to unleash himself on the Hymnstitute. Enenche has been a choirmaster for 14 years. He currently sings with the St Peter Claver Catholic Chaplaincy Uniabuja, as well as the OLPH Cathedral Choir & Immaculate Conception Choir in Makurdi. His favourite hymn is “All Creatures of Our God and King”. Enenche is a Tenor.