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St Anthony's Choir debut album wins award

The 23-track album will most certainly keep listeners tapping their feet to the last track.  Disc A has 13 songs, which are dedicated to the 1988 papal visit to Botswana. 

According to the album sleeve, the date marked a very important moment to the Christian community, particularly the Catholics in Botswana when the late Pope John Paul II came to the country.

The sleeve states: “We sing with our peaceful yet so fulfilled hearts to remember and celebrate the Papal Mass in the same way that it was celebrated. 

We wish to take many Catholics and other Christians far back as September 13, 1988 with the hope that this time we will all celebrate and at the same time have something tangible to remember this very important moment in our history.”

Some of the songs found in Disc A include Motse Wa Morena Papa, Aletereng Ya Modimo Re Tsisa Dimpho and Bonang Sefaapaano.

While the first disc would appeal mostly to Catholics, the second one caters for all who love different styles of choral music.

The disc, which contains 10 tracks opens with the engaging and vibey, Palapye. 

The song pays tribute to the town said to be the fastest growing settlement in the country.

Other songs to lookout for are On A Hill Far Away and Worship Medley.

The album, which was recorded at SABC studios in South Africa, was recently launched at Palapye International Convention Centre.   It was there that St Anthony’s Church Choir reportedly gave the internationally acclaimed Soweto Gospel Choir a run for their money.

The sleeve of the album is simple but attractive way.  Lyrics for On A Hill Far Away, Moya Wa Ga Jesu and God Loves Me are available on the sleeve, which is commendable.

The choir must be commended for their powerful vocal ranges and the fact that they dabbled in different genres of choral music.

They also infused instrumentals in some of the tracks making them stand out.

The conductor for this remarkable album is Obadiah Badubi while the producer is the talented Tshepo Lesole.

According to the choir’s spokesperson, Matshidiso Kimwaga, most of the proceeds from the sale of the album will go towards charity.