SOMETHING fishy is happening at choral music outfit Zimpraise. The group recently started auditions for new members and one wonders where these new members will fit considering that the outfit already has about 115 members.
Zimpraise
The group has even spiced up the auditions by increasing the audition fees, raising questions how exactly the group is being run.
Zimpraise, which is in its fifth annual talent search, charges thousands of potential singers and instrumentalists, registration fees for auditions. The group announced that it was increasing the registration fee from US$2 charged in 2014 to US$3 this year.
The figure sounds ridiculously low but is quite substantial considering the numbers that turn up for the auditions every year for the past five years.
Add to that money they make from commercial gigs, yet they do not even pay the choir members and the saga begins to stink.
For an organisation that claims to be non-profit-making – it boggles the mind where all that money they get goes to, when a lot of talented young girls and boys are left out because they cannot afford to pay.
Therefore, only people from well-to-do families stand a chance, as landing a position in Zimpraise does not even guarantee a stipend, yet one needs transport, food and clothes to attend rehearsals and shows.
This has led pundits to question the rationale behind the registration fee let alone the increase when prices of most commodities and services (fuel and hotel bookings included) are going down in the country.
Charging registration fees for auditions is tantamount to companies asking for a similar fee to potential employees applying for work in their organisations.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education last year scrapped secondary school entrance tests after it discovered that some unscrupulous school heads were using the facility for fund-raising.
Thousands of parents lost their hard-earned cash as school children sat for entrance tests when the school(s) could only accommodate a handful of students much fewer than those who would have turned up.
It is no secret that Zimpraise is a glamorous group that most Zimbabweans want to be a part of and in turn the auditions are bound to attract hundreds if not thousands of people. For instance, of the figure that turned up last year, only 40 individuals were admitted to the group.
If top artistes like Oliver Mtukudzi, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah charged registration fees for individuals that wish to join their groups, they would easily be raking in mega bucks without breaking a sweat on stage.
Imagine how many people would turn up for a Black Spirits or Orchestra Mberikwazvo audition at Pakare Paye or Aquatic Complex respectively?
Conversely, officials from the choir which is not new to controversy are justifying the fee and increase.
“For the reason that these auditions are entirely our responsibility, each participating member will have to pay an administration fee of US$3, which will help us secure the venue (Holiday Inn) as well as other administrative costs that include the interviewing panel, refreshments, etcetera,” argued the choir’s public relations officer, Tendai Zhou.
But one wonders why an outfit that purports to be a non-profit-making organisation would have to hire an expensive venue for auditions when cheaper and viable options are available.
In fact, being a Christian group they have a number of churches at their disposal that they can use free of charge or for a reasonable fee.
Also, they could use their rehearsal venue(s) for auditions just like Mtukudzi, Macheso and Suluman do.
Zimpraise’s actions seem not to support the gospel that the group has been preaching since being established in 2006.
For a group that purports to promote an all-inclusive approach, it is baffling how they intend to achieve this when most Zimbabweans are finding it difficult to spare a dollar on a daily basis.
“Zimpraise has a mandate to spread the gospel of Christ as we reach out to our communities and to nations at large. We have seen it fit that we engage people who are interested in joining us as we go out into schools, rural areas as we ascertain how we can help the less privileged as well as to share the good news of Christ with them,” argues Zhou.
Prominent music promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza said it was unethical for any music outfit to charge an audition fee for whatever reason.
“It’s immoral and unfair for any group to charge a registration fee for auditions. When an individual approaches a band it means he/she is in search of employment and if that person is good they will add value to a group and in turn increase its fortunes. Potential group members should be tried free of charge even during live shows,” he said.
Last year’s Zimpraise auditions were conducted through WhatsApp voice notes of a one-minute-long voice clip upon paying a registration fee through a mobile money transfer facility.
This year, those in Harare are required to register at their offices while those outside can use the traditional mobile money transfer facility.
Over the years Zimpraise has been involved in a number of controversies.
Founder of the group Joseph Madzivire is alleged to be in the habit of not paying salaries to choir members even for international tours.
The founder has also been accused of being a serial dater of choir members, though he vehemently refutes the allegations.
The selection criterion of touring group members has itself been labelled as “skewed” by disgruntled members of the group.
Two years ago the choir lost one of its key members, Marbel Madondo (sister to the late Jackie Madondo), who left the group with other members and formed a new outfit, Thousand Voices, amid claims of dissatisfaction. SundayMail Chitungwiza , Controversial , Crime , Entertainment , h metro , hmetro , Zimpraise
