Joyous Celebration raise their voices in praise

The choir whipped the audience into near frenzy with popular previously released songs as well as systematically introducing fresh talent and new songs from their latest album

THEY might have been doing almost the same thing over and over again for a long time, but the people's choir - Joyous Celebration - still rocks and packs the theatre seats.

Having given much joy to choral music lovers during the Easter holidays at the State Theatre in Pretoria, where they were booked from Wednesday to Sunday, the choir proved once again that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

Judging by the reaction of music lovers who packed the theatre, there is no doubt that Joyous Celebration remains the most popular gospel music outfit in the country.

With Lindelani Mkhize as conductor, Mthunzi Namba and Jabu Hlongwane leading the rest of the vocalists, the choir whipped the audience into near frenzy with popular previously released songs as well as systematically introducing new songs from their latest album - Joyous Celebration 15 - and new talent.

Using traditional choral music as standards but making them accessible mainly to the urban youth, their formula seems to connect easily with the audience who, at several stages during the concert, sang along.

It really does not matter whether you are a fan of gospel music or not, because that will not stop you from enjoying the performance of these gifted singers and instrumentalists.

Following the Pretoria concert the next stop for the Joyous Celebration tour will be the East London Christian Centre on June 3.

Other venues to be visited include the Centenary Hall in Port Elizabeth on June 4, the Grand West Arena in Cape Town on July 2, the ICC Arena in Durban on July 30 and the last stop in Bloemfontein in August.