Joyous Celebration

Music career

The choir was formed by the well-known gospel producers in the country; Lindelani Mkhize, Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Namba. The choir has been sponsored by Giant telecommunications Network MTN, hence the name 'MTN Joyous Celebration'. Previous sponsors include 'Old Mutual' and other South African media partners. The choir usually comprises 30 to 35 singers and a 6 to 8 piece band. There are usually 8 to 10 sopranosingers, 8 to 10 contralto singers and 10 to13 tenor singers. The founders try to change singers often in order to give others the same platform and exposure, this by holding auditions often. Most singers stay with the choir for a period of 1 to 5 years; however, others do go over that period, with previous singers such as Ntokozo Mbambo, the previous musical director Nqubeko Mbatha, and the current lead guitarist Msizi Mashiane having stayed with the choir for 11 years each. The founders often refer to Joyous Celebration as a gospel project as the singers are not only trained in music but how one carries themselves as a gospel musician and how to basically stand on their own in the tough music and ministry industry.

Discography

Joyous Celebration release albums annually and have broken boundaries in the South African recording industries in terms of live DVD and CD recordings with a total of 22 live Albums. Most of the latter albums contain music composed by the singers, the founders and the friends of the choir. They also keep to the signature of true South African praise and worship with traditional songs which have been sung in church for decades.

Albums

Joyous Celebration (1997)

Joyous Celebration 2 Live in Durban at The Durban Christian Center (1998)

Joyous Celebration 3 Live in Johannesburg at The Market Theatre (1999)

Joyous Celebration 4 Connecting the Nation Live in Durban at The Playhouse (2000)

Joyous Celebration 5 Live in Johannesburg at The Civic Theatre (2001)

Joyous Celebration 6 Live in Durban (2002)

Joyous Celebration 7 Live in Cape Town at The Artscape Theatre (2003)

Joyous Celebration 8: To Be Free Live in Johannesburg (2004)

Joyous Celebration 9 Live in Durban (2005)

Joyous Celebration 10: Special Anniversary Live in Johannesburg at The Mosiaek Teatro (2006)

Joyous Celebration 11 Live at Sun City, North West at The Sun City Superbowl (2007)

Joyous Celebration 12 Live in Cape Town at The Grand West Arena (2008)

Joyous Celebration 13 Live in Johannesburg at The Mosiaek Theatre(2009)

Joyous Celebration 14: Life Changing Worship Live in Bloemfontein at The Vista Arena (2010)

Joyous Celebration 15: My Gift To You Live in Durban at The Durban ICC also known as The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (2011)

Joyous Celebration 16: Royal Priesthood Live in Johannesburg at Carnival City's Big Top Arena (2012)

Joyous Celebration 17: Grateful Live in Johannesburg at Rhema Bible Church (2013)

Joyous Celebration 18: One Purpose Live in Durban at The City Hill Church, Hillcrest (2014)

Joyous Celebration 19: Back to the Cross Live in Soweto , Johannesburg at Grace Bible Church (2015)

Joyous Celebration 20 Live in Durban at The Moses Mabhida Stadium (2016)

Joyous Celebration 21 Live at The Potter's House Dallas , Texas (2017)

Other Releases

Joyous Celebration Rewind Live in Johannesburg at Monte Casino (2012)

Joyous Celebration Rewind 2 Live in Johannesburg at

Joyous Celebration 20 Part 2: The Alumni Live in Durban at The Moses Mabhida Stadium (2016)