One of the best hymntestants (contestants) in the ongoing Hymnodia reality TV show, Kenneth Ekhuemelo, failed to maintain his presence in the frontline positions as the Judges announced the top two outstanding performers of Stanza 7, with the contest heating up.

Ekhuemelo, who was one of the top two performers in Stanza 6 has been maintaining a great showing in the contest thus far with his singing. The bass singer, who exhibited confidence in his appearance, stage craft and composure, rendered the self-composed hymn Have Mercy on Me, inspired by Psalm 51.

Replacing Kenneth in the top 2 for the Stanza was the broad-ranging soprano, Rachael Darley for her sterling composition titled Amen while the consistent Olumide Dada ‘the Baritone Singer’ retained his Top 2 place for his composition Heal Me Lord.

The Judges on Stanza 7 were legendary musician Onyeka Onwenu; Dupe Ige Kachi (popularly known as Ige Sings), singer, songwriter and voice coach; and Sunday Olawuwo, music director of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos. As usual, they were joined by Benneth Ogbeiwi, Dean of the Hymnstitute.

Other performances at the Stanza 7 Performance Show were Mobolanle Oladimeji, Jemine Edukugho, Juliet Nwabia, Uduakobong Akpan, Blessing Agu and Abigael Nnadi.

Olawuwo, while commenting on Nnadi’s performance with the hymn When I Stand before Your Throne, said: “I commend you, especially your backup for holding forth for you.”

Ige praised her as the last hymntestant performing on the night for the beautiful way she ended the hymn, while Onwenu said the performance was very impressive. The hymn was inspired by Revelation 7.

Commenting generally on Stanza 7 performances, the judges commended all the Hymntestants for their display of talents that led to wonderful hymns writing and rendition. According to the judges, their hymns severally captured the essence of each relevant scripture including the spirit of the Lenten period and Christ’s suffering on the cross. This was further reinforced when the Dean of the Hymnstitute announced that there will be no probation for the week to palpable relief and applause of the hymntestants and their fans.

Hymnodia, which will culminate in April, will reward the winner with the Asaph (a specially designed award named after David’s chief musician), a brand-new car and N5 million.

Hymnodia is the first ever triple “E” (entertainment, education and edification) platform created around hymns and worship. The performance show is aired as a one-hour programme on Lagos Television (Channel 256 on DSTV, Channel 90 on GOtv and Channel 118 on Startimes) with a magazine show on same channels on Thursday evening. It is also streamed live online via the LTV App available on the app store and on the dedicated YouTube channel, Hymnodiahq.