The winning choirs lifting their trophies
Choristers of Zion Methodist Church in Tema have emerged winners of the fourth edition of the Youth Link Ghana 2017 inter-school choral music festival and competition.
They received for their prize a certificate, trophy medals and products from the sponsors of the event which was held at the Church of Pentecost International Worship Centre (PIWC), Burma Camp in Accra recently.
The 2016 reigning champions, Akropong School for the Blind Choir, came second, while Valley View University Basic School Choir which is located at Oyibi near Dodowa came third.
They also relieved a certificate, trophies and medals and other packages from the sponsors of the event.
The Programmes Director at Youth Link Ghana, Kakra Opoku Agyakwa, stated that choral competition was organised to rekindle Ghanaians’ appetite, especially the youth, for choral and patriotic songs.
According to him, choral and patriotic songs, apart from having soothing effects both on the singer and listener, also have the potential to challenge, as well as inspire listeners to engage in adventure that is worthwhile.
Mr Opoku Agyarkwa further stated that the 2017 edition of the competition is being dedicated to the contributions of Emeritus Prof Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia, Ghana’s foremost ethnomusicologist and composer, towards the promotion of African music, patriotic songs, among others.
He added that the competition also seeks to encourage the younger generation to appreciate choral and patriotic music and the importance of its teaching in schools.
A retired research fellow and lecturer at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Dr Misonu Amu, averred though culture changes over time, it is important to hold on to the good aspects while embracing only the best of foreign traditions.
Dr Amu who is the daughter of the late Dr Ephraim Amu called on the choristers to eschew evil and always make it their habit to follow the road to righteousness.
Prof J. H. Nketia, 95, in an interview with NEWS-ONE lauded Youth Link Ghana for creating the opportunity to reawaken the spirit of patriotism among the growing population.
He, however, expressed worry about the gradual extinction of choral music and patriotic songs among the youth.
Prof Nketia added that the Youth Link competition should revive the spirit for which such tunes were created.
By Solomon Ofori