By Style Reporter
A team of energetic youthful singers, The Soldiers of Heaven, have set fire on the local music scene with a scintillating gospel album titled Tirimo Munzira launched amid great pomp and funfare at Waddilove High School last week.
Led by patron, composer and leader, Patrick Nyahwo, the Soldiers of Heaven threw the proverbial gauntlet at the traditional gospel artists, declaring their fiery entry into gospel music in its entire spectrum.
Nyahwo is a senior teacher at Waddilove High School where he also teaches A’ Level English Literature.
And, as if to make bolder their challenge, the ‘Soldiers’ roped in renowned gospel musician, Reverend Togarepi Chivaviro and celebrated preacher Prophet Tapiwa Freddy to endorse their grand entry into the challenging arena.
Reverend Chivaviro features prominently in the videos of the songs on the album, but does not steal the limelight off the capturing velvet voices of the young singers led in vocals by the likes of Violet Ruvarashe Chipangura, who was the Soldiers’ band manager, Makomborero Chiguri and Nyasha Musoni. They are ably supported with powerful backing vocals from Atrishya Gondo, Unalerona Guga, Cherish Muzofa and Wardle Gombingo.
As evidence of his huge endorsement of the Soldiers of Heaven, Prophet Freddy, who is a renowned musician in his own right bought the Tirimo Munzira DVD for a whooping ZLW$10 000. With him at the momentous event were his wife and some members of his musical team.
The Kastep keNyasha singer entertained guests and students with some of his own productions, including the popular Kastep keNyasha song for which an impromptu dance competition was held and big prize money was donated by the Harare preacher.
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Prophet Freddy said he got involved in the launch of the album through an invitation from the school authorities and was pleased with the work of the students in the production of the music and the video.
“I was very impressed with the quality of the production especially given that these are just students and not full-time musicians,” Prophet Freddy said.
“My message to them is that they should remain focused and not be distracted by negative and discouraging comments that might come from social media.
“The secret to success is to keep on doing what you believe is right.”
The colourful event was attended by several high-ranking officials of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, including the national education secretary and the district bishop.
Many parents came to witness their children’s exploits and to celebrate with them on this achievement.
Guest of honour for the occasion David Dururu, who said he was impressed by the quality of the production and the strength of the music itself. He said the Soldiers of Heaven had proven beyond doubt that education spoke not only of academic achievement but a whole array of disciplines including sport and arts.
Nyahwo said it was an honour for the Soldiers of Heaven to have the support and collaboration of such musical icons like Reverend Chivaviro and Prophet Freddy on their side.
“Prophet Freddy and Reverend Chivaviro are role models in their respective genres of gospel and we cherish their expertise, which has benefited our project a great deal. The participation of Rev Chivaviro in the project provided our young musicians with the much needed confidence,” Nyahwo said.
The new album is loaded with nine beautiful Methodist Church in Zimbabwe hymnal songs, which the Soldiers of Heaven dish out with much gusto and passion.
Nyahwo said he was inspired to get the Soldiers of Heaven to sing the church hymns by the need to promote the church’s identity and values through song.
The album was recorded and produced by Forward Mazuruse of Music for Development Studio and has themes centred on God’s eternal love, unique power and security.
