The story of Christmas again retold home early few days before Christmas by a 250-member Apostolic Faith Choir and Orchestra in Lagos. It was part of this year’s edition of thew well-celebrated service. The event held at the as usual in the church auditorium located at Camp Grounds, Anthony Village area of Lagos.

For about two and a half hours, the choristers under the leadership of Rev Festus Oyeniyi, music director rendered choice hymns and classical music from masters such as Haydn, Mozart and Myddleton.
Forming an arc on the large alter, the choristers were not only harmonious in their white and black costume but also in melody.

Featuring young old melody makers and the aged, the orchestra irrespective of gender were divided into various sections such as vocal, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombones, organs, saxophones and euphonium among others.

The night of songs began with a congregational hymn entitled Christians Awake, Salute The Happy Morn followed successively by two renditions of classical songs including The Heavens Are Telling by J.A Haydn and Suite For Strings W.A Mozart. The two classical songs were a contrast; while the first rendition of Haydn’s number which featured both choir and orchestra was quite lively and stimulating, Mozart’s Suite For String featuring only string orchestra was more subdued and inspiring.
Taking audience participation into consideration, the three numbers that followed where popular carols written by David Willcocks. They include The First Nowell, O Come All Ye Faithful and See Amid The Winters Snow.

This was to pave way for the first solo performance of the night by a brilliant young male trumpeter, Tobi Aladetuyi. Exuding confidence and discipline, Aladetuyi’s impressive rendition of the second Haydn’s piece of the night entitled Trumpet Concerto emerged one of the highpoints of the night. The young man’s dexterity on the trumpet not only underscored the value which The Apostolic Church places on good music but also portrays the church as a foremost religious centre for breeding young talents.

Raising the tempo several notch high was a Violin solo by Dare Ogunsanya, yet another brilliant young male violinist. Ogunsanya’s well delivered rendition of Allegro From Sonata In F op.1.12/ Christmas Tunes struck the highest cord of the night and was well rewarded with a round of applause which lasted throughout his performance. His mastery of the string instrument was also aided by the romantic appeal which the Violin commands. The solo piece stretched into a medley of contemporary tune which include Give Thanks, a song popularised by renowned Don Moen, renowned American gospel musician.

Other highlights of the occasion include a Christmas medley rendered by an Octet, solo renditions of G.F Handel’s classics such as For Unto Us, O, Grant It Heaven (Recit), For Behold, Darkness (Recit) among others. While most of the songs rendered at the occasion were mostly of European and American origins, Maria Wundia which was arranged by Alex Taiwo, a melodious mid-tempo Yoruba, song was perhaps the only indigenous rendition of the night.

According to Rev. Festus Oyeniyi, music director, the choristers/ orchestra are made up of people of various age groups, background and professions many of who play music on part-time basis. He revealed further that the 250-member choir and orchestra were only a small part of The Apostolic Faith National choir. In the absence of Rev Paul Akazue, African Overseer of the church at the event, nyenyi said the respected clergyman is a lover of music but his absence was inevitable because of ill-health.

The essence of the carol, according that to Oyeniyi, was not just to celebrate Christmas but also to reach out to unbelievers using the medium of music. He explained, “We are not given to physical exercise that is why we don’t believe in percussions but in solemn gospel music which we hope to use to draw the heart of men towards God.”

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