AS the first semester draws to a close, the Zimbabwe College of Music (ZCM) is set to host a free live concert dubbed the Winter Warmer Concert tomorrow at the institution in Harare.
The showcase will feature performances from the college’s student band, bringing together talent nurtured at one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most respected formal music training institutions.
Founded in 1948 by renowned musician and teacher Eileen Reynolds, ZCM began as a centre for Western classical music education, primarily serving the white community.
Now under the leadership of executive director Rachel Jera-Chigwanda, the college continues to adapt and innovate.
It has evolved into a multicultural institution, offering comprehensive music education that embraces Zimbabwean traditional music, jazz and Western classical traditions.
In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style ahead of the concert, Jera-Chigwanda said the concert was a celebration of creativity, learning and the unique cultural blend that defines the ZCM’s teaching approach.
“The Winter Warmer Concert is not just a musical event, it is an artistic expression of the growth and diversity of our students. I am urging music lovers across Harare to come and support the rising stars on the Zimbabwe music scene,” she said.
“As the concert is open to all, it gives the public a rare opportunity to experience the journey our students take, from theory to performance, in a uniquely Zimbabwean context.”
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Jera-Chigwanda added that the concert would feature a repertoire spanning various genres taught at the college, reflecting its inclusive curriculum.
“Our teaching philosophy embraces the richness of our own traditional music alongside jazz and Western classical styles. This concert is a reflection of that diversity,” she noted.
Jera-Chigwanda said the college was committed to developing musicians who were not only technically proficient, but also culturally rooted and globally competitive.
“Our vision is to continue producing graduates who can represent Zimbabwe on any stage in the world while staying grounded in their cultural identity,” she said.
In partnership with Africa University, ZCM offers a variety of qualifications including the National Certificate of Music and a Bachelor of Music degree.
The institution has nurtured many of Zimbabwe’s celebrated musicians, including guitarist and producer Clive “Mono” Mukundu, gospel star Charles Charamba, and mbira songstress Hope Masike, among many others.
