THE Original Messiah, a 50-member Bulawayo-based Seventh-day Adventist choir, has over 40 years of singing and still going strong, crooning at weddings, camp meetings, and church services across Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Botswana.
NONHLANHLA SIBANDA OWN CORRESPODENT
Original Messiah performs choral singing of rare distinction by what must be the best mixed choir in Zimbabwe, directed by one of the finest choral directors.
The choir has reached amazing maturity in choral gospel music and has defied changes in time, personnel and the economy to remain steadfast in good music.
The choir was formed in 1974, in direct response to diverse community needs, based on spiritual and social needs. According to the choir’s spokesman Nkosana Mapuma, Original Messiah was formed by Titus Tshuma, who was later joined by Joseph Shumba and his wife, the late Nathaniel Lunga, the late Roger Hlabano, Mike Phuti, Lovemore Mazwi and Stanley Tshuma after a concert by a prominent Zimbabwean choir at that time, Wings Over Jordan, at the Beit Hall in Luveve.
“Wings Over Jordan choir performed at a concert at Beit Hall and displayed skill, order and commitment; an outstanding performance which inspired the formation of Original Messiah,” Mapuma said.
Shumba was the first chorister of the choir initially known as Messiah, but changed its name in 1978 to Original Messiah to distinguish itself from another upcoming choir that had adopted the same name.
Original Messiah has weathered many storms, including a potential split in early formative years and has roared from strength to strength by unveiling its most admirable credentials with every performance.
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Here is a mixed choir of singles, parents and grandparents, fresh of tone and fresh of mind, careful and accurate over their notes yet giving the impression that it all comes naturally whenever they are on stage.
The choir has a keen feeling for rhythm and all four parts (soprano, alto, tenor ) blend perfectly, and appear to work with a like mind towards an agreed ideal of choral sound to produce singing of staggering accomplishment with absolute purity of tone, perfection of intonation and depth of feeling.
Original Messiah brings impressive reserves of stamina and concentration to bear on sometimes difficult pieces to create a selection of choral musical delight stunningly delivered in terms of tonal quality and technical brilliance.
Mapuma said Original Messiah’s mission is to lift up the name of Jesus Christ through music and to win souls to God through music ministry. The choir is working towards being the most dominant music institution in Zimbabwe.
Original Messiah has graced State occasions as much as it has led and spearheaded several evangelism crusades in the SDA Church in Zimbabwe.
It helps many gifted musicians realise their God-given potential and to minister through song.
“Original Messiah strives to propel its music and merge in the new decade by offering state-of-the-art videos and CDs designed to soothe the soul and be the companion of the stress-ridden and hope-seeking people, families and communities in Zimbabwe.
“We are currently seeking strategic partnerships and alliance that will enable us to achieve our life-long vision and objectives. Currently we provide entertainment at weddings and birthday parties in the form of secular and social commentary type of music,” Mapuma said.
The choir has five albums under its belt, Sing Hallelujah released in 1993, Jehovah Mufudzi Wangu (1998), Emnqamlezweni (2005) Uvukile (2008) and Ngitshel’ Indab’ Endala (2014).
“We produce quality, local content which is appreciated by many. Our objective is to develop holistically a persuasive genré of music to influence people’s lives through emotive systematic value songs and build an illustrious music legacy. We have future plans of acquiring a recording studio; to build a music academy and to groom young people for future service and give back to the community,” he said.
The choir practices twice a week on Tuesdays and Sundays at the SDA Church in Makokoba.
Lameck Ndimande and Harry Mlauzi compose music for the choir. Mlauzi has composed over 300 songs; 150 for Original Messiah. 75 have been recorded.
Mapuma said for one to join the choir, they have to be a baptised member of the SDA church and attend any of its practice sessions for an interview.
He said the choir was currently preparing for a tour of South Africa in July for a music festival organised by an Austrian promoter.
