Gospella plans to thrill crowds tonight

The NWU-PUK Gospella, a choir that brings an exciting diversity of multilingual music to the community, plans to thrill the audience at their first concert today, 11 March, in Potchefstroom.

The concert’s theme is “symphonic echoes” and it showcases a diverse and creative repertoire from different genres. The concert takes place in the C6 POK Hall.

Former students Sibusiso Mbonambi and Khanya Tholwana started the choir in 2015.

Senior Education student Renaldo Paul (22), the current chairperson, said, “The aim was to unite students from different cultural backgrounds to praise the Lord through dynamic and versatile music.” Around 90 percent of the songs are performed a cappella in languages such as English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Sepedi and TshiVenda, Paul said.

Instruments used in other songs include bass guitar and piano. “I am very excited about the concert because it is our very first. The tickets are selling like hot cakes and we are all looking forward to it. The group rehearses from 18:00 to 20:00 every day,” Paul said.

Gospella is an exciting group full of young people who are passionate and talented with their voices. It is in association with PUK Arts.

The choir has 42 members, including 34 singers and 8 members of the marketing team. The concert focuses on praise and worship.

Paul said auditions for new singers were held in February. “We recruited 12 singers from the auditions, and two more came to join us last week.”

Alto singer Thando Kodisa (18), said, “I attended the auditions because the first time I saw the performances of the Gospella choir, I felt like my spirit would grow if I joined.” “I was motivated by the spirit and energy they had and immediately knew that I wanted to be part of the choir,” she added.

The Gospella choir had a flash mob on 26 February at the NWU SS to promote their concert. They were singing and performing at the Amphitheatre and handing out pamphlets to students.

The gospel choir also performed live at the student radio station PUKfm 93.6 on 8 March to promote their concert.

Mapini Moleme (18), one of the song leaders, said, “I am looking forward to the concert. We have been plugging posters around campus and attending all the rehearsals. As a song leader I am going to make sure that everyone who will be there enjoys it.”

According to Paul the Gospella singers welcome everyone “to come and be in the presence of the Lord”. Tickets are available at Heimat building (F9) for R30. The concert starts at 18:30 but attendants should arrive at 18:00 to be able to find their seats and be ready for the performances.