Schools should invest more in choirs

which sing highly entertaining and spiritually uplifting gospel music.
Familiar names that quickly come to mind include choirs from schools like Sandringham High, Mazowe High, Msengezi High School, Zengeza High School, Howard High School, Gutu Mission School, Arundel High School, Watershed High School, Ruya Adventist School and Nyazura School, among others.
I am sure the majority of ZTV viewers and radio listeners have enjoyed the classic gospel tracks of Sandringham High school Choir, one of many school choirs that are steadily making a mark in gospel.
Situated in Norton, 40 kilometres from Harare, the school choir has transformed the gospel entertainment landscape of Zimbabwe, in the last 10 years since it launched its debut album.
It is renowned for releasing some of the chart-topping hits that include “Rumbidzwai”, “Jerusalema Musha Wangu” and “Pindai Mandiri”, among others.
Their collaboration with Sebastian Magacha on “Rumbidzwai” raised their profile into a powerful choir that shares the word of God through music.
The success of Sandringham High School Choir brings to the fore the need for school authorities and administrators to invest more in arts education and school choirs for their schools.
Following the stabilisation of the economy I believe plenty of new opportunities have opened up in gospel music and other arts sectors.
If more choirs are created in schools, Zimbabwe would soon witness a new generation of gospel artistes in the mould of such iconic musicians as Kirk Franklin, Don McClurkin, Sipho Makhabane, Charles Charamba, and Mechanic Manyeruke, who would take gospel entertainment by storm.
With music education and from singing in a school choir, many students would learn new skills, like for instance singing professionally, song writing, music composition and other related skills. In research studies that were conducted to assess the impact of school choirs on students it was established that school choirs improved students’ academic performance while other skills gained include teamwork and personal confidence.
These students were also shown to be more disciplined, more active in classes, obedient to their teachers, other school authorities and parents.
School choirs that take part in public functions such as school choir competitions have also been able to raise the image of their schools.
Christian messages embedded in gospel songs sung by school choirs would always ring in students’ minds even after graduating from school thus rooting students in Christian values and principles.
School choirs are important in that they lighten the learning environment of a school where the usual seriousness associated with studying is replaced with mental relaxation as students enjoy themselves through singing gospel music among other activities.
Many students were able to discover their musical talents which they later used in professional music after being members of a school choir for their different schools.
Petronella Gobvu is a good example of a student who went professional in music after finishing school at Msengezi High where she was a member of the Msengezi High School choir.
After releasing her eight-track album, “Anouya” in 2009, Petronella said she would continue with gospel music as it allowed her to preach for God through music.
“I want to pursue more the spiritual side of gospel because I am a worshipper. I want to sing more to God than sing for God,” said Petronella during her earlier interview.
It is some of these advantages that I believe school authorities and administrators should take the idea of a school choir in their schools more seriously. I spoke to two youths to find out how they viewed the idea of a choir in a school and how they received the music of established school choirs.
Leah Reza, a former student of Shingirirai High School, said she enjoyed the vocals in the songs of school choirs that sing gospel music.
“I only enjoy the way they sing which sounds different from other gospel musical groups. I think a school choir is good because it allows students to enjoy themselves during performances and rehearsals,” said Leah.
John, who is a member of the Scripture Union at Morgan High School, said a school choir that sings gospel is good as it encourages the spiritual growth of students.
“A school choir that sings gospel music is good. It is beneficial for student’s spiritual growth. Even the Bible in Proverbs 22 verse 6 says train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
“A school choir would also train students in the word of God,” said John.