About Us

Good News Choir also referred as GNC is a group of singers from University parish (former National University of Rwanda) founded 0n 14^th July 1997. With about 200 members all volunteers, GNC is part of Catholic Church movement not based on any discrimination.

Description

Good News Choir is among five choirs found at St Dominic University Parish (former National University of Rwanda. Currently has about 200 members it also known as the first choir to ever start the celebration of English masses in Rwanda and gave rise to English community.

History

Good News Choir was found on 14^th July 1997, three years after 1994 Genocide that took more than one million lives. The choir started out fairly and small but grew little by little grew up to where it is now and still is growing, The motto of the choir is “Portraying Unity, Peace and Love” and the choir symbols are a flying dove with open wings, Open book with sunshine around it. All showing the good news and light from Heaven. The colors of the Good News Choir are “White” meaning peace featured with good news, and “Blue” stands for Mary mother of God and love. (Both white and blue are colors for Mary mother of God) The Headquarter of GNC is at University Parish but it can operate anywhere in the country.

Good News Choir has the following objectives:

·         To help parish Christians especially those whose preferred language is English (English community) through singing

·         To cooperate with the parish and Ecclesia in general in proclaiming the good news of the Lord

·         To support and help the government and Rwandans in general to attain Unity for all Rwandans

·         To change the image of catholic church after 1994 genocide

·         To improve the social welfare of its members

GNC is also recognized as a modern choir since its foundation due to its music genre which is kind different from what other choirs at campus do or other choirs from different communities. GNC is normally an English choir but it sings in about 9 languages namely English, Swahili, Luganda, French, Lingala, Latin, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi,.. The music that Good News Choir does is mostly worship, classic and gospel music. Most of its classic music are George Frideric Handel’s and Black American songs.

From the very beginning. Singers have been students from all across campus - not just students with music background from Catholic schools but everyone even those whose who never sang anywhere before, as long as you have a strong passion for singing There is a way for you to sing in Good News Choir. Music Technicians are here to help you.

The choir meets three times a week for practice every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 5:30PM to 7:15PM at Domus Pacis. But when necessary days for practice may increase or decrease.

Milestones and Tours

The Good News Choir since its establishment has always been and continues to be characterized by the commitment of its members. With about 200 talented singers coming from all walks of life, a local touring schedule, and an outreach programme that takes our passion for music into inner-city schools, we are an active community performing, recording and sharing music for everyone to enjoy despite their age or background.

In its 20 years of existence now GNC have realized only two albums the first one named “Let me give Him praises” realized in 2009, and the latest named “Closer to You my Lord” realized on 29^th April 2017. The reason behind a long time frame between one album and another is financial means for many of the active members of GNC are students but the choir is looking forward to minimize time frame between album realize.

Ongoing outreach programs are a priority for GNC, many of which encourage youth especially those in High schools who will be joining Colleges soon this outreach program takes place every summer from June to September; since 2016 In preparation for its second album realize and 20^th Anniversary Good News Choir organized a country tour which covered a number of parishes and schools in the country mostly in Capital City Kigali:

5th June 2016: Good Tour at St Michael Cathedral, Kigali

11th June 2016: Good Tour at Kacyiru Parish, Kigali

19th June 2016: Good Tour at St Peter Parish Cyahafi, Kigali

3rd July2016: Good Tour at St Dominic Chapel Kacyiru, Kigali

31st July 2016: Good Tour at Regina Pacis Parish Remera, Kigali

15th August 2016: Good Tour at Petit Seminaire St Vincent de Paul Ndera, Kigali

28th August 2016: Good Tour at Petit Seminaire de Rwesero St Dominique Savio, Rwesero

4th September 2016: Conclusion of Good Tour at Centre Christus Remera, Kigali

11th September2016: Special Final Mass of Good Tour at St Michael Cathedral Kigali
18th June 2017: Good Tour at St Dominic Chapel Kacyiru, Kigali
1st July 2017: Good Tour at Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, Gashora
8th July 2017: Good Tour at Byumba Cathedral, Byumba
30th July 2017: Good Tour at St Charles Lwanga Parish Nyamirambo, Kigali
13th August 2017: Good Tour at Regina Pacis Parish Remera, Kigali
27th August 2017: Good Tour at St Michael Cathedral, Kigali

Leadership

Good News Choir has about 18 staff members including 4 members of Choir Committee and 14 heads of commissions, the leadership status of Good News Choir is as follow:

• General Assembly: made of all choir members it is the highest governing board of GNC
• Choir Committee: made of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
• Commissions: the choir has 7 commissions namely Liturgy, Music, Project, Social Affairs, Discipline & Security, Law reinforcement and Entertainment & Leisure.

List of Choir Presidents since its foundation:

2016-2017: Iradukunda Patrick
2015-2016: Isange Alain Astaire

2015-2014: Ngabo Fabrice

2014-2012: Ntagengerwa Alex

2012-2011: Gahenda Roger Parfait

2011-2010: Freddy Gahunga

2010-2009: Habinshuti Desire

2009-2008: Medard Patrick Gakwavu

2008-2006:  Mpano Emery Torbert

2006-2005: Dr. Ntirenganya Cyprien

2005-2003: Dr. Amendezo Etienne

2003-2002: Habyarimana Jean Bosco

2002-2001: Kibogo Ndahiro Joseph

2001-1999: Dr. Kayihura Mugunga Didace

1999-1998: Havugimana Jean Marie

1998-1997: Kayiru Fabien