RELIGION - CSO CHOIR CUTS ALBUM

When students forget books BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Worldwide, singing has become one of the most effective ways of disseminating messages. And this does not exclude gospel music. This kind of music has taken centre state and it continues being used extensively to compliment ‘actual’ ways of preaching and teaching the word of God. Gospel music appeals to the senses deeply and it provokes a great deal of thought. It also may act as a catharsis during moments of crises. Even David the Psalmist used music to comfort himself and to invoke God’s protection when he was in the wilderness. He composed his Psalms and sang them: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want…. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.” That is why Chancellor College Catholic Students Organisation (CSO) Choir decided to release their third gospel album during this time when the world is facing a lot of atrocities. The religious grouping released their first album titled Paulendo wanga in 2003 and their second one titled Mundilengere mtima in 2006. They feel that despite the fact that college education demands a great deal of dedication, it is significant that they spare some time to sing for the Lord, thereby preaching His word. The just released album is titled Munthawi yake and was produced at Ralph Records under the expertise of Felix Ziyade and Montfort Manyozo. According to the singing group’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Boniface Dokotala, recording the album started in July this year and ended the following month. Some of the key tracks on the album include Ndionetseni njira, Mbusa wabwino, Lankhulani and I watch the sunrise. Dokotala said most of the tracks emphasise on patience as led by the title track. “Our main aim is to reach out to may souls. Music has become one of the best ways of preaching the gospel and we take advantage of this. Our songs mostly emphasise on patience – waiting upon the Lord. The title track is a manifestation of this,” said Dokotala, a second year student at the tertiary institution. He added that the group believes that God gives everything at His own right time and that He knows everything, patience on the part of the created order being what matters. “Let’s make an allusion to the Bible where Jesus said that a father will not give a snake to his child who asks for an egg. Thus, we believe God knows everything that is good for us. Therefore, we have to look to him for our needs. After all, He is above everything and the sustainer of our lives,” he said. CSO Vice Secretary Vincent Kavala said music is a great ministry and is bearing great fruits, especially in this era of soaring rates of technology. “We decided to take advantage of the high levels of technology to minister to people,” he said. One of the choir members Gerald kagona said he takes it as a rare opportunity to preach God’s message through music. He added that it is also a way of meditating upon the word of God. “We feel that it is good for us because he who sings prays twice,” said Kagona. CSO choir is first launching the newly released album at St. Charles Lwanga parish in Zomba on 13 September and among other gospel artists and groups, Favoured Sisters of the Akukusunga ndi cholinga fame will perform during the launch. After the Zomba launch, the album will be launched again in Blantyre on 27 September before the final launch on October 4 in Lilongwe.