Gospel music minister, Nii Okai, will on this Sunday, 17th April, which coincidentally is Palm Sunday, host a grand festival of hymns, spiritual and classical songs dubbed ‘Hymns Unlimited 20011 Concert’ at the National Theatre. The creative and inspirational showpiece, the brainchild of Nii Okai, will feature some of the finest choirs in Ghana and in effect set the tone for all activities and celebrations during this year’s Easter.

Speaking in a press launch of the will-be annual festival last week at the Silverbird premises at the Accra Mall, Nii Okai revealed that he has instituted the Hymns Unlimited event to highlight the timeless impact of the church’s hymnody and the need for these hymns to be carved, rearranged and preserved to bridge the gap between the old and the young when it comes to worship music. Mr. Willing Vanderpuije, who chaired the launch, also reiterated that, “Hymns are timeless, have doctrinal depth and are truly inspiring. One cannot compare the power of these hymns to any of the highly commercialized gospel songs, some of which are anything but inspirational.”

Owing to the immense impact of Nii Okai’s third album, Hymnz Unlimited, on the music in many orthodox churches as well as charismatic ones, clarion calls have been made by lovers of hymns and other fading church traditions for the resurgence of hymnody in the church. A call which will in effect aim at reviving the fading tradition of church music and challenge the content of gospel songs being churned out nowadays, then gains headway with Nii Okai and headline sponsor First Capital Plus pledging the organisation of this festival, Hymns Unlimited, to be an annual event.

Come this Sunday, the first edition of Hymns Unlimited will feature well crafted ministrations from notable choirs such as the Harbour City Mass Choir, Winneba Youth Choir, Tema Youth Choir, Harmonious Chorale, UniVoices and distinguished individuals such as Bernice Offei, Mawulorm Batsa and the multi-talented Kofi Dua Anto (KODA) with Nii Okai and his Virtuous music team as hosts. The event will be in two sessions: afternoon session (2pm-5pm) and evening session (6pm-9pm) and tickets are already out and selling hot at Silverbird Lifestyle Store at the Accra Mall, Citi FM and Sunny FM for GHc 15.00 (advance). Tickets will go for GHc 20.00 at the gate on Sunday.

Born into the Methodist Church, Nii Okai exemplifies a true Wesleyan spirit well spiced with multi-cultural music influences. Noted for b creatively blending skill with anointing, Nii Okai and his Virtuous team will make you want to sing hymns all day long, in the way that maintains their timeless nature whilst interpreting them in musical forms that suit everyone.

Hymnody is a fading church tradition with the revolution of contemporary music and technology in music. However, this has not taken the spiritual and creative element away from hymns as one of the Church’s main traditional music medium during worship. It’s content is a brilliance weave of words fashioned in the beauty of loaded poetry that carry highly inspirational messages and narrations that are soothing to the soul.

Hymns Unlimited concert happening this Sunday is a must attend event which promises no less than a grand spectacle of rich music presented in the most creative arrangements that will give you a heavenly treat. The Easter season is here therefore make it reflective and usher it in with family and friends by having a good time at the National Theatre with Nii Okai and some of the finest choirs in Ghana as they serve you hymns strictly for the soul!