MINISTRY THROUGH MUSIC
The history of music in the Methodist Church can not be talked of without talking of Charles Wesley the often forgotten giant of the Methodist Church. Charles published over six thousand hymns, wrote the words for a further two thousand, many of which are still popular. The Methodist Church is found in almost all social set ups. In this case, worship remains peculiar. There are 888 songs in the English hymnal, 321 in Shona, 417 in Ndebele and 200 in Tonga hymn book
1n 1978, Methodist introduced Music Competitions. The competitions were done in a manner that was not credible as a result in the mid 2000, the name was changed from competition to Convention. In 2009, the first two day Convention was held in Mutare from Saturday to Sunday ending with results and not with insults as before. From that time, the Methodist Church had been involved in a number of competitions with other churches which were sponsored. These include Bambazonke Festival and Colgate Palmolive for over twenty two years, Heavenly Praise sponsored by Plate Glass (P.G) Industries, Musanhi, and Intwasa in Bulawayo and Spar in Midlands. In most of these competitions, MCZ has always been a beacon scooping a number of prizes. The music ministry is also being enhanced by the technical expertise which was introduced by the church to train the lower choirs and to motivate the seasoned ones.
From very few choirs, 2011 commemorates over eighty (80) fully functional choirs. There are five categories from groups A-E. Group B was the first and it was one choir. As other choirs became seasoned, group A was formed for them leaving group B for upcoming choirs. With time, Methodist music became very classical and there was stampede in group A. This led to the formulation of the group of “Death” group D. Apparently this group became a category very difficulty in English songs to enhance professionalism in both the choristers and the Choir Directors. Group C is a traditional song (instrumental). All groups A, B and D can sing in this group. It is normally in vernacular. The dawn of modern instruments saw the youth isolated. As such, another group was introduced, that is group E which uses modern instruments.
Besides the choral and acapela music, the Methodist Church has joined the music industry as a way of promoting Methodist from own music from piracing without the intention of competing because we can not compete against illegal fundraisers. Many of the Methodist hymns had became exposed to a number of personal fundraisers at times have nothing to do with the traditional church or any other church. The Methodist community laity and clergy, choirs, groups, families, and high schools took it upon themselves to record music using different recording companies. To date the groups which have recorded includes: Vatinhiri Vedenga , Vayambuki ve Gungwa, Amaveni Choir, Rimuka Choir, Holy Chronicles, Kuwadzana , Seke and Warren Park MCUs, Magora in Beatrice , Glen Norah , Gweru Central, Greendale, Seke A, Mufakose, Trinity and Luveve Choirs, Advent Singers, Anointed Vocals, Domboramwari, Kwekwe Mbizo Boys, Maungira, Vawadzani, Mapisarema, Varumbidzi groups, Boys of Thunder, Vadzidzi Vekutanga, James Kuchinani and the Blessed Family, Vimbai Mhandu and Friends in Harmony, Mr. T.T Chivaviro, Rev P.T Nyabonda and Rev L Panavanhu among others, Moleli , Sandringham , Pakame and Waddilove High Schools ( Soldiers of Heaven, Army of Faith and Harmony Brothers) .
As musicians of the Church, we feel that Methodism was born in music and Evangelism.
The Connexional Music Chairperson Rev Mantinti Ramushu, the Connexional Music Committee, Technical Advisors, all choristers, recording and aspiring groups wishes the Presiding Bishop, the Lay President and the Methodist Community a happy 120th of spreading the Good news in Zimbabwe. As people in music, we feel humbled to represent you in classical music of all genres with quality performance.