Zambian choir on musical exchange visit with Hwange Diocese.

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By Ronald Nyoni in Hwange

In Zambia they use guitars and drums. St. John Makwa was taught to blend drums with other instruments in liturgical celebrations.
In Zambia they use guitars and drums. St. John’s Makwa was taught to blend drums with other instruments in liturgical celebrations.

St. Fidelis Mission choir from Sichili, Zambia under Livingstone Diocese graced St. John’s Mission Makwa in Zimbabwe’s Hwange Diocese to exchange notes on church music from 6 -10 December. The exchange visit was meant to revive Makwa parish’s waning musical zeal and participation in the liturgy as only few parishioners were interested in joining the choir.

Members of St. Fidelis choir doing what they know best at St. John's Makwa where they had come for an exchange musical programme.
Members of St. Fidelis choir in Livingstone Zambia doing what they know best at St. John’s Makwa where they had come for an exchange musical program.

Many songs were taught and will go a long way in sustaining the mission’s spiritual life. The Zambian choir taught Chewa hymns while they also benefited from some Nambia, Ndebele and other Shona songs. The Gloria and the Creed were among the juicy pieces of the exchange programme.

The 26-member delegation from Zambia comprised of 16 women and 10 men including youth and adults.

St. Fidelis choir members take a break after some coaching of the local choir.
St. Fidelis choir members take a break after some coaching of the local choir.

Makwa parish was facing a serious commitment decline by parishioners did not want to join the choir or  participate in the liturgical celebrations like holy mass. It was after this experience that the assistant priest for Makwa Parish, Fr. Stanslaus Lumano invited the Zambian choir in an effort to revive and nurture the local choir’s passion for sacred music.

 

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