Online Reporter
Prince Mushawevato
WHETHER you are currently navigating a rough patch in life and seeking encouraging words to uplift your soul, or overflowing with gratitude for the blessings the Creator has showered upon you yet unsure how to properly thank Him, “Celestial Chorus Volume 3” might be exactly what you need.
This 20-track live album, which is now available on all streaming platforms, speaks directly to the soul through well-crafted music characterised by poignant lyrics that blend seamlessly with rich instrumentation. Listening to it feels akin to sitting through a powerful sermon where different preachers take turns to motivate and uplift the congregation.
Recorded live during the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Harare International Conference Centre, with additional parts captured at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City, Johannesburg, the project is a grand collaborative effort.
The voices on the project are accompanied by a rare 100-piece symphonic orchestra and a polished in-house live band, creating an extraordinary worship experience.
For those who have not yet attended any of the Celestial Chorus editions, this masterpiece offers a vivid glimpse into what transpires at the show and explains why it remains immensely popular with worshippers across various denominational divides. The therapeutic hymns featured on the album are simply superlative, brought to life by an impressive line-up of Zimbabwean and South African gospel singers.
This talented roster includes Sharon Cherayi, Janet Manyowa, Dum Mkokstad, Everton Mlalazi, Canaan Nyathi, Mthunzi Namba, Mmatema, Mpumi Mtsweni, Fisani Masinga, Rudo Madindi, Natasha Mlalazi, Peniel Tambama, Petronella Sengwayo, Tawanda Midzi and Sindi Ntombela.
The emotional mood is instantly set ablaze with the opening track, “Tiri Vana Vamambo”, a powerful worship anthem about spiritual identity, hope and belonging in Christ.
The track reminds worshippers that no matter what challenges they face on earth, their ultimate worth and status come from being children of God.
This is immediately followed by “It Is Well”, showcasing how carefully crafted the project is. After submitting to being children of the Almighty, this song comes in as a declaration of wellness rooted entirely in Christ.
In “Twala Mina”, listeners are encouraged to seek divine intervention when the going gets tough.
Souls often break while trying to solve life’s challenges independently, but the track recommends that we avoid going into battle alone or worrying over things beyond our control. Instead, it reassures us that “when life feels heavy, we can ask Him and He will certainly answer”.
Likewise, the album pushes for resilience. Giving up is often an easy way out when life becomes difficult, but “Mira Segamba” suggests otherwise.
Tracks such as “Mudyi Wenhaka”, “Jesu Ari Mufudzi” and “Blessed Assurance” offer diverse perspectives on life while firmly maintaining the overarching worship theme of God’s omnipresence and omnipotence.
These timeless hymns provide worshippers with something to smile about during a time when many are facing daunting challenges.
With numerous families affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa, where some foreigners have lost their lives or sustained injuries, anxiety and grief have gripped many communities.
Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans have returned home, frequently having lost their livelihoods and feeling unsure of their next move, while other societal challenges such as drug and substance abuse continue to bedevil the nation.
“Celestial Chorus Volume 3” attempts to heal these troubled souls through messages of comfort and by offering possible solutions for real-life situations.
Reflecting on the milestone, Everton Mlalazi noted that releasing the album is a dream come true.
“Seeing a production of this scale hosted and produced in Zimbabwe is something truly special. Although it was not one of the easiest projects to execute, it proved to be one of the most rewarding,” said Mlalazi.
He added that the experience was much more than just a performance, transforming into a vibrant exchange of ideas, experience and musical excellence that enriched everyone involved.
Furthermore, he emphasised that, “one of the greatest achievements of the project has been fostering deep collaboration between Zimbabwean and South African musicians.”
Within days of its official release, the live album quickly became the primary topic of conversation within local gospel music circles.
Other remarkable tracks included on the volume are “Power in the Blood”, “Master the Tempest”, “Ndotondera Kalvari”, “I Surrender”, “Themba Nilale”, “Sobuthana Emfuleni”, “O Bvumai Ndifambe Nemi”, “Mlindi Ngitshele”, “Izwe LaseBeula”, “Mununuri Huya”, “Give Me Jesus”, “Jesus Lover of My Soul” and “Thokoza”.
Over the years, Celestial Chorus has evolved far beyond an annual concert, establishing itself as a premier local flagship gospel event where worship and style blend for a greater good.
What makes the production truly unique is its remarkable ability to unite celebrated gospel ministers from the region on a single platform.
This world-class production breathes fresh life into traditional hymns, reinvigorating their sweetness while amplifying their overall worship impact.
By celebrating collective worship and placing the message above individual personalities, the production continues to draw thousands of worshippers to the Harare International Conference Centre every New Year’s Eve while capturing international audiences through digital streaming.
Describing the scale of the endeavour, Mlalazi remarked that it is a massive undertaking, but by God’s grace, they are able to deliver it year after year.
The project is sponsored by the Bridging Gaps Foundation.
The multi-award-winning gospel singer Mlalazi serves as the vision behind the project, acting as executive producer while leading an experienced creative team that includes his wife, Gamuchirai Mlalazi, as project manager, alongside Nigel Nyangombe as music director and producer.
Building on this monumental success, preparations for Celestial Chorus Volume 4, scheduled to be recorded on December 31, are already well underway.
