The Brong Ahafo Choral Champions, Tanokrom Philharmonic Choir have been crowned champions of the First National Choral Competition in a keenly contested event in Kumasi over the weekend. They beat the Prophetic Voices of Winneba, who were the Central Regional champions and Ashanti Regional champions, Amemreso Youth Choir to win the “Champion of Champions’’ event. The three winners will represent Ghana at the forth coming African Choral Festival scheduled for March 9-11 at the National Theatre and the Cape Coast Castle. After the “Champion of Champions” event, the Philharmonic Choir scored 78 points to beat Prophetic Voices which had 74.5 points and the Amemreso Youth Choir which received 74 points. The Western Forties choir of Takoradi set the ball rolling with some great tunes amidst azonto style conducting which excited the crowd. Performances varied from the normal choral tunes to the traditional and cultural dance styles which brought the audience to its feet. The performances continued until the last group OLA SDA of Northern region choir wrapped up the performances. Even Sunday’s nationwide blackout coupled with a downpour did not disrupt the atmosphere at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology where the event was held. In his speech, the Guest of Honour, Mr Samuel Sarpong, who is the Mayor of Kumasi, commended the Ghana Tourism Authority’s (GTA), initiative in reviving Choral music. He said he was very happy with the performances of all the groups and hoped it will continue in the future. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Baba Jamal who was also at the event said his outfit will liaise with the GTA to continue introducing some novelty programs to the tourism calendar. The Champions, Tanokrom Philharmonic Choir took home GH¢ 3,000 as their prize money whiles the Prophetic Voices of Winneba and the Amemreso Youth Choir received GH¢ 2000 and GH¢ 1000 as their prizes for placing first runner up and second runner up respectively. The event was organized by the Ghana Tourism Authority with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Ghana Broadcasting Company, Multimedia Group Limited with Adom FM as the lead media partner and Metro Mass Transit Company Limited.