A DEBUT show by Harare’s Sunshine City Gospel Choir flopped on Friday night as a handful of people graced the occasion, much to the chagrin of the organisers who blamed churches in Bulawayo of not supporting the first-ever performance by the capital city-based emerging ensemble.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPONDENT
The group, although not let down by poor attendance, sang before less than 50 paying guests.
Supporting artistes included Stanley Gwanzura, aka Pastor G, Ex-mile, Vocal X and Petronella Sengwayo. Sengwayo sang Pastor G’s latest single Remedy released in February.
Pastor G used the occasion to urge gospel choir groups to maintain originality and not sound like carbon copies of each other.
In an interview with Southern Eye Lifestyle the Haya Haya hit-maker said gospel choir groups need to compose their own original songs so as to attract a new audience.
“One of the blessings we have in the advent of social media in digital music and a more integrated society,” Pastor G said.
“Choir groups are following trends, but they must maintain originality and not sound like carbon copies.”
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He said gospel choir groups should be authentic “in the sense that they must know their calling — which is to spread the gospel.
This will push these groups through hard times when there is no attendance in shows and when there are no sales. They should stick to their calling and God will do more exceedingly, abundantly above all they could ever imagine.
Pastor G said the challenges that most gospel musicians faced was lack of resources, pointing out that corporations were not sponsoring them.
“Corporations need to go beyond seeing gospel music as a source of entertainment, but see it as life transforming. Gospel artistes display a lot of creativity and at times are more skilful than circular artistes,” he added.
