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By Nana Ama Asiedua Boateng, School of Communication Studies, WIUC-GHANA
Wisconsin, Accra – 22 March, 2019
As a chorister and a lover of choral music, music has inspired and blessed me in indescribable ways.
The Methodist hymnal used by the Methodist Church Ghana (my mother church) contains 984 hymns, and 78 Canticles and Psalms.
The words in each hymn have a way of reflecting the word of God in our lives.
Sometimes the lyrics of a hymn are a form of prayer on their own when they are sung with a genuine and faithful heart.
And of course there is almost always the accompanying pulsating rhythm of the cowbell and drums to provide a unique Ghanaian flavour.
In recent times choral music has grown so widely and maintained its popularity despite a rising Christian charismatic movement characterised by its own variety of Gospel music.
This has caught on even within the historic orthodox churches.
But we can safely assume that choral music, being rooted within Ghana’s secondary school system, will continue to have a corp of loyal fans.
‘Catch them young and they will forever be yours’.
Many music men, yes men, have taken upon themselves to set up a choral group.
In Ghana, the leading and most influential choral group is Harmonious Choral Ghana, a non-denominational group founded by James Varrick Armah in 2007.
It has won the hearts of many people in the country and beyond.
One Voice Choir, Vocal Essence Choral, Gramophone Chorus, Lapaz Community Youth Choir and a lot more choral groups are making waves in Ghana with good choral music.
Music directors cannot be left out when it comes to choral music; they play an indispensable role.
The Rev Newlove Kojo Annan, a renowned choral music composer of the popular tune “Your Grace and Mercy”, which has won the hearts of many people in Ghana and outside the country is trending today.
Kras Arthur, Dr Benjamin Amakye-Boateng, Yaw Sakyi Baidoo, Ken Kafui, Asare Bediako, Osei Boateng and Nii Kpakpo Thompson, among others, are great music directors who have contributed to contemporary choral music in Ghana.
The security services have strong choral music groups. Unfortunately, their performances are limited to their quarters and are heard only during national celebrations.
The security services choirs of the Methodist Church are the exception but even they, only when they are scheduled to appear on Hymns and Their Meanings on Uniiq 95.7MHZ.
Many corporate organisations also have choirs who have duties to perform during anniversaries and corporate events.
When was the last time you were moved by choral music?
Feedback; [email protected] or to Nana Ama through WhatsApp (+233) 0265461964; Instagram, Misnaab_1; Facebook, Nana Ama Asiedua Boateng.
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