Chilima conducts classical music concert

Vice-President Saulos Chilima on Thursday night surprised patrons of a classical music concert at Sunbird Capital in Lilongwe when he conducted the joint performance of Kamuzu Academy Symphony Orchestra and Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Brass Band.

Chilima conducted two MDF songs.

According to Captain Levison Chisambi, the first song was Poyamba and is performed during parade. The other, called Zalero, is a Zambian melody and was written by Chisambi who is the MDF Brass Band conductor.

The concert was organised jointly by Kamuzu Academy Symphony Orchestra and MDF Brass Band to raise funds for Mtunthama Health Centre in Kasungu for buying of medical equipment for maternity section and TB ward.

Soon after Chilima finished his moving performance people took to the microphone and made their pledges towards the cause. The first was Bright Kamanga, managing director of Metropolitan Health who pledged his company contribution of K1.5 milion.

MDF deputy Commander, Clement Namangale who announced the MDF’s contribution of K500 000.

Kamuzu Academy music director Donald Kaluwire said he was satisfied with the turnout despite classical music not being a popular genre on the local scene.

During the concert, the joint band performed a hymn, I Vow to thee my Country that was dedicated to founder of Kamuzu Academy, founding president of Malawi Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the patrons had an opportunity to sing along because the lyrics were written at the back of the programme for all to use.