St Pius Catholic Choir on Friday celebrated 60 years of music ministry at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre.
This was also the group’s debut performance at Apollo Auditorium, a hub that is slowly regaining its mojo since its reopening having closed in the 1990s.
Despite some glitches early on that delayed the celebration, the occasion thereafter went on a rise with the audience savoring songs from the well-known choir before Kwathu Drama premiered its production titled Gile.
Kwathu as a popular and legendary theatre outfit was invited to perform at the show being a legacy concert for St Pius Choir.
After being out of the limelight for some time, the group featuring actors such as Charles Mphoka, Moses Mandebvu, Mussa Penoh, Emma Chikwembeya, Linda Chatha and Enifa Chiwaya made sure drama bonded well with gospel music on the night.
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“Our plays resonate well with people because we look at issues happening in society. Venues have been a challenge for us but we hope this is the beginning of more performances,” Mphoka said.
Limbe Catholic Choir was the first to hit the stage before St Pius Choir took over.
St Pius Choir which has several songs on the market rekindled memories when it played a number of its well-known tracks including ‘Ndi Ndani Kodi?’ and ‘Ndiyimba Ine’.
The choir also took time out to serve songs fused with the country’s traditional dances which included Tchopa, Ngoma and Utse.
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“We are thankful for the support we have received. The start was problematic especially with power shortage but after that all went well,” Godwell Thunga, who is the chairperson, said.
There were also moments when the master of ceremonies gave an opportunity to people to request for songs of their choice after making contributions.
Some members coughed millions on the night to support the choir that has been on top of ministering the word of God through music.
The choir also supported Mzuzu-based young girl, who they discovered on social media dancing to some of their songs to patronise the concert alongside her mother with all expenses paid.
On the night some people also went away with hampers having splashed enough to earn the gift.
Limbe Catholic Choir came in for its second performance before the headliners St Pius Choir closed the curtain during a show that spilled over to the early hours of Saturday.
