“On the 13th April, 1742, the music hall in Dublin resounded to the applause of an enthusiastic audience. For the first time in history, the great musical oratorio, Messiah, had been presented; and the conductor on that occasion, was none other than the composer himself, George Frederick Handel. Since then, it has been rendered time and again, in all parts of the world, and thousands of people have sat enthralled by the majestic choruses, and moving solos, of this wonderful oratorio.
The music is thrilling, rising to heights of drama and pathos that stir to the innermost being of those who listen to it” (H. P. Mansfield, from his booklet entitled “The Gospel in Song”). The above words of H. P. Mansfield, portrays vividly in words the experience of the events of 2014 Bigard inter-house choir competition, held on April 12th, 2014. No wonder music is said to be the language of the soul. And according to St. Augustine: “He who sings well prays twice”.
The spiritual, social and intellectual encounter was set rolling by the opening prayer said by Rev. Fr. Dr. Anthony Eze. The Rector, Rev. Fr. Dr. Theophilus Ukoro Igwe, in his welcome address, welcomed everybody and remarked on the essence of music in the life of the church. According to him, “music is integral to the celebration of the liturgy because it assists one in expressing one’s thanksgiving and in the deepening of one’s reverence for God”.
He stressed further: “the musical competition is not an end in itself, rather, a means to an end. This means that the aim of the competition is to improve on the quality of singing in the seminary and to develop oneself in the way of praising God”. In a special way, he expressed his unalloyed sentiments of gratitude to the music director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Umezinwa, for his spirited devotion in improving the standard of music in Bigard. He appreciated in no mean measure the choirmasters and organists of different houses for their sacrifices in organizing the event. He was also deeply appreciative of the Judges, who despite their tight schedules graced the occasion.
Furthermore, the music director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cletus Umezinwa, after the rector’s address, presented briefly an address indicating just as the rector did, that the aim of the competition was to improve the musical skills of seminarians; “to make them not just sing but to sing well, to improve their voice production, to be able to read solfa notation without tears and compose liturgical songs”. He point out, that they selected highly qualified and experienced professionals in music to serve as the judges. The judges were: Rev. Prof. Sr. Cordis-Mariae Achike, Prof. Richard Okafor and Dr. Joe Onyekwelu.
The competition then started after the different house masters had been called to pick their time of performance.
At the end of the performance by the different houses and other individual performances, the judges appreciated the Bigard family for entrusting them with such responsibility. After few corrections, they suggested that students who were talented in music should be allowed to study music as a discipline.
The results of the competition were then released thus:
OVER ALL POSITION
| Name of Houses | Total Scores | Average | Position | Choir Number |
| St Francis | 1167 | 389 | 1st | No. 8 |
| St Gregory | 1158 | 386 | 2nd | No. 7 |
| St Anthony | 1149 | 383 | 3rd | No. 5 |
| Blessed Iwene Tansi | 1082 | 360.7 | 4th | No. 12 |
| St Stephen | 1066 | 355.3 | 5th | No. 9 |
| St Mark | 1066 | 355.3 | 5th | No. 3 |
| St Albert | 1019 | 339.7 | 6th | No. 11 |
| Immaculate Conception | 1016 | 338.7 | 7th | No. 10 |
| St Vincent | 993 | 331 | 8th | No. 2 |
| St Emmanuel | 976 | 325.3 | 9th | No. 4 |
| St Mary | 966 | 322 | 10th | No. 1 |
| Queen Of The Apostles | 963 | 321 | 11th | No. 6 |
CONDUCTING
| Name of House | Total Score | Average | Position | Choir Number |
| St Francis | 186 | 62 | 1st | 8 |
| Blessed Iwene Tansi | 180 | 60 | 2nd | 12 |
| St Anthony | 180 | 60 | 3rd | 5 |
| St Gregory | 178 | 59.3 | 4th | 7 |
| St Stephen | 176 | 58.7 | 5th | 9 |
| Emmanuel | 169 | 56.3 | 6th | 4 |
| Immaculate Conception | 162 | 54 | 7th | 10 |
| St Albert | 160 | 53.3 | 8th | 11 |
| St Mark | 159 | 53 | 9th | 3 |
| St Vincent | 146 | 48.7 | 10th | 2 |
| St Mary | 141 | 47 | 11th | 1 |
| Queen of The Apostles | 141 | 47 | 11th | 6 |
CHOICE PIECE
| Name of House | Total Score | Average | Position | Choir Number |
| St Gregory | 226 | 75.3 | 1ST | 7 |
| St Anthony | 223 | 73.3 | 2ND | 5 |
| St Francis | 218 | 72.7 | 3RD | 8 |
| St Albert | 214 | 71.3 | 4TH | 11 |
| Blessed Iwene Tansi | 212 | 70.7 | 5TH | 12 |
| St Mark | 210 | 70 | 6TH | 3 |
| St Stephen | 206 | 68.7 | 7TH | 9 |
| Immaculate Conception | 205 | 68.3 | 8TH | 10 |
| St Mary | 196 | 63.3 | 9TH | 1 |
| Emmanuel | 186 | 62 | 10TH | 4 |
| St Vincent | 185 | 61.7 | 11TH | 2 |
| Queen of The Apostles | 165 | 55 | 12TH | 6 |
WINNERS
OVERALL WINNERS
1st Position – St Francis’ House
2nd Position – St Gregory’s House
3rd Position – St Anthony’s House
WINNERS IN CONDUCTING
1st Position – St Francis’ House
2nd Position – Blessed Iwene Tansi House
3rd Position – St Anthony’s House
WINNERS IN CHOICE PIECE
1st Postion – St Gregory’s House
2nd Position – St Anthony’s House
3rd Position – St Francis’ House
Finally, the vote of thanks was done by Rev. Fr. Dr. Blaise Emebo. The closing prayer was taken by Rev. Fr. T. Anyanwu.