THE Vine Choir’s 10th anniversary concert at the Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday was a testament to their significant investment in creating an unforgettable experience and writing their own piece of history on the local gospel scene.
What a memorable night of soul-stirring performances in celebrating The Vine Choir’s 10-year journey in the competitive music industry.
Founded in 2014, under the directorship of multi-award-winning gospel musician Everton Mlalazi, The Vine Choir released its debut album Musandipfuure in 2018, which was followed by a live recorded 12-track album titled The Great Physician about four years later.
The concert dubbed The Vine Choir @10 Concert and Live DVD Recording that featured celebrated American gospel singers VaShawn Mitchell and multi-award-winning American gospel singer and songwriter Jekalyn Carr was held for free, in a gesture of generosity, courtesy of the kind sponsorship obtained by the choir to facilitate the concert.
The concert had all the ingredients to bring the umph, highly-structured stage set-up, state-of-the-art sound system, high-definition cameras panning across the stage and audience, ensuring that the spirit and energy of the night would be preserved for future viewers.
The venue was transformed into a vibrant hub of praise and worship ensuring an unforgettable experience for fans and dignitaries as they were treated to superb performances by both international and local gospel music icons.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style, Mlalazi said he was grateful that God had brought The Vine Choir this far.
“Guys, it has been 10 years with The Vine and all we can say is Great is Thy Faithfulness because without him, we would not have been here. I want to say 2014 (when The Vine was formed) was just a dream,” he said.
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“Without Him, it would not have been turned, but with Him, as the true vine, and as the vine, we acknowledge that we are just the branches. We acknowledge that it is through the vine that the branches bear fruit and because of that, we remain rooted and connected to Christ, our anchor. And I want to introduce that same God, that same Christ to all of you.”
He continued: “Some people here Tinashe, Vanessa and Amanda [all in the choir], some sitting in the audience were with us when we started this dream. I can tell you that a few of the members that were there when we started The Vine are still there. Have fun and God bless you.”
The double celebration concert was held under the theme Great is Thy Faithfulness, which Mlalazi said reflected their deep gratitude to God’s unwavering faithfulness and guidance throughout their musical journey.
Among the performers of the night were United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean singer Blessing Annatoria Chitapa, a magnificent ensemble, including a 100-piece orchestra from Johannesburg, South Africa, 30-piece brass section from Germany, a 30-member choir and 30 children from the Adventist Pathfinders.
Initially meant to be a one-day concert, there were irresistible requests from the fans who missed the Saturday concert to roll it over for a second day. The request was granted to honour the loyal fans and another concert was held yesterday afternoon at the same venue.
About the performances
The Vine Choir’s music and songs such as Great is Thy Faithfulness, Musandipfuure Yahwe and Sewakhile (He is Built) among other medleys echoed through the auditorium, igniting a wave of joyful worship that resonated deeply with the audience who could be seen singing along to almost every song. The audiences were drawn into a collective spirit of worship and praise if their sing along gestures is anything to judge by.
As the night progressed, the stage welcomed Chitapa joining The Vine Choir on stage for the performance of Tariro, a song of hope.
A parade of 30 children from the Adventist Pathfinders also brought their unique flair and talent as they performed the song Peace, Love and Trust to precision.
Oozing with confidence, Mlalazi’s daughter Natasha also showed her prowess when she led the choir in singing the Medley, Peace, Love and Trust and her solo Tenzi Nditungamire. Her powerful voice and emotive delivery received great applause from the guests.
As the concert drew to a close, American singer Mitchell joined The Vine Choir on the stage to add an international sparkle to the concert about seven minutes before 10pm. With all the energy, he joined the choir for the performance of the song Yahwe much to the enjoyment of the audience.
His joint performance with The Vine Choir left the audience uplifted and inspired. It was, indeed, a night of unity, faith and unforgettable musical artistry as The Vine Choir showcased the power of gospel music to transcend borders and bring people together in worship and celebration.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, the echoes of the evening’s melodies lingered in the air, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of all who attended.
The sound, the lights
Towering LED screens framed the stage, projecting vivid, dynamic visuals and lyrics that synchronised perfectly with each performance. A cascade of colourful lights danced across the space, creating an ethereal ambiance that captivated the audience. Tremendous sound engineering techniques ensured an enjoyable listening experience without any distortion or harshness at the concert.
The state-of-the-art sound system ensured crystal-clear acoustics enhancing the performances. This was admired by the attendees praising sound quality as a testament to the professionalism and technical expertise hired by the concert organisers.
The guest behaviour
Unlike unruly behaviour that has become associated with some of the live concerts, there was a noticeable absence of any disruptive behaviour, with attendees respecting the performers' efforts. The guests exhibited exemplary behaviour throughout the event creating an atmosphere of respect. During performances, the audience was engaging, offering applause and cheers without disrupting the flow of the concert.
