Kyambogo Anglican Chaplain rejuvenates Church Hymns

Rev Engineer Emmanuel Mwesigwa, the Anglican Chaplain of St Kakumba Chapel, Kyambogo University, has called upon Christians to revive the use of hymns during worship. He referred to classical music as a gift of God, which must not be kept hidden.

“Hymns have that beauty of harmony that spices divine worship, further to helping us meditate on the Word of God. Let’s not bury this precious gift from God. Let us instead use it to glorify God as he intended,” Mwesigwa said.

A scene from the Easter drama 'Watch the Lamb'.

He made the remarks during the annual Easter music festival, which was held at the chapel on Friday. The competitive show dubbed Classical Halleluja Easter celebration attracted students’ musical groups like Kyambogo University Christian Union (KCU), Ground Breakers, the Band Choir, Kyambogo University Anglican Youth Missioners and the Chapel choir.  The ensembles sang Easter hymns like Christ the Lord is Risen Today, And Can It Be, Up from the grave he arose, Yours is the Glory, etc.

Further to presenting hymns, the students also presented a drama, Watch the Lamb, which projected the events of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

Rev Mwesigwa later told the congregation that he had put in place musical projects like the annual Halleluja Easter Celebration, to rejuvenate the use of the old hymns during worship.

The Children's Choir in action during the festival

 
Following the adjudication of Sengendo Zaake, Simon Yiga and Beatrice Geria, Rev Mwesigwa declared the Band Choir as the champions of this year’s festival. The Chapel choir and the Ground Breakers took second and third position, respectively. The respective winners were given trophies and cash presents.

Further to the competing choirs, the audience also enjoyed interesting performances by the children’s choir and the women’s choir.

The festival ran under the theme: Shout Aloud and Sing for Joy (Isaiah 12:6).

The Band Choir celebrating with their trophy after being declared the overall winners of the festival.

The Ground Breakers presenting one of their Easter hymns