Rwandan musicians win music scholarships to Germany, France

THREE Rwandan musicians were on Friday night selected to study music in Germany and France. Jacques-Greg Belobo, an opera singer with the Semper Opera based in Dresden, Germany announced the winners during the concert at Kigali Serena Hotel. The winners, Ruth Nirere, aka Shanel, Christian Kwisanga and Samuel Kamanzi will now be able to further their music talent overseas-thanks to the Goethe-Institut and Institut Français du Rwanda.“The decision to select these three was based on the fact that they proved their talents, and the scholarship opportunity is just to build on what they already have,” Belobo told The New Times in an interviewEarly this year, Belobo started training solo musicians and choirs, an exercise that helped him to identify those who would go for the one-year training.“I didn’t expect to be among those to go for this training,” said Shanel. “I’m so happy and I am sure that it is an opportunity that will take me to another level in my music career,” remarked Shanel. Meanwhile, it was an exciting evening for music fans, as Germany-based Cameroonian crooner wowed the crowd with his renditions of ‘I Believe’, ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘Apres un reve’ and ‘Chanson triste’, among others.The concert which started on a high note at 8p.m attracted over 15 local musicians. Notable among the musicians who performed included Cecile Umubyeyi, Rosette Karimba, Julienne Niyokora and Madeleine Kusinza. They all delivered thrilling performances much to the satisfaction of the excited crowd.The event was organised by Goethe-Institut, Institut Français du Rwanda, Kigali Serena Hotel and the African International Club for Rwanda. Entrance fee was Rwf10, 000 per person, and all the proceeds will go to support the Music School in Kiyovu.According to the organisers, the support will be directed towards improving the school facilities, as well as buying modern music equipment.The school was founded in 2000, by Marlene Lee, an American woman who is currently working in Rwanda.Belobo started his music career in his hometown of Yaoundé in Cameroon. In 1996, he won the first prize at the National Classical Music Competition, something that catapulted him to fame. This followed many other prizes including the first prize at the Aguimucla Competition of Yaoundé and later the first Medal in the International Diapason competition in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

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Rwandan musicians win music scholarships to Germany, France