IINTRODUCTION:
The Winneba Youth Choir was founded in May 1989, by George Mensah-Essilfie (Principal Organist) with John Francis Arthur-Yamoah as Conductor and Choirmaster. It was under the patronage of the late H. E. Kow Nkensen & Marian Arkaah.
In May 1998 the Choir was incorporated as a non-profit seeking association, with the name of Winneba Youth Choir, and is governed by a Board of eminent Ghanaians.
The Choir provides a platform for the education and development of the youth in Winneba and surrounding towns, through the medium of singing.
Our objective: Our objective is to support these children and to nurture their natural talents in music, in the belief that they may imbibe the inherent principles of discipline and perseverance needed for productive adulthood”.
Our Vision: Our vision is to remain an internationally recognized Youth Choir, that projects a positive image of the African youth and African choral culture. We achieve this vision through hard work, adopting the posture of a learning organization, and the formation of productive associations with other internationally acclaimed choirs.
The Winneba Youth Choir is recognized as the leading choral group in Ghana, and is credited with the mainstreaming of Choral Music in Ghana, as well as the development of a strong Youth Choral Culture in the country. Subsequent to the formation of Winneba Youth Choir, there are now hundreds of independent youth choirs in Ghana.
Okyeman Youth Choir: In February 2005, the Choir established, under contract with the Okeman Coincil, of the Royal Akyem Kingdom, the Okyeman Youth Choir, which is also recognized as one of the leading choirs in Ghana today.
Winneba Childrens Choir: In 2007, the Choir again pioneered the formation of a childrens choir, known as the Winneba Childrens Choir, to serve as the nursery ground for membership of the youth choir.
The Winneba Chiidrens Choir was the nucleus around which the first camp and tour of the African Children Sing! Initiative of the IFCM was held in May 2007.
In the 19 years of its existence, the Winneba Youth Choir has contributed positively to the development of over a thousand youths in its catchment area.
The children who constitute the youth choir are between the ages of 12 and 22 years, and are made up of Primary, Junior and Senior High School students in the coastal town of Winneba and its surrounding villages. The qualifying age of the childrens choir is between the ages of 8 and 12.
The Choir is affiliated to the University of Education – Winneba/Ghana, and a member of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM).
Choirmaster:
The Choir remains under the baton of John Francis Arthur Yamoah, who started conducting choirs from the tender age of 10 years, when his musical talent was discovered.
Repertoire:
Whilst remaining distinctively African, the Choir blends its repertoire with songs from all regions of the world.
Awards:
The Choir has received many National Awards, including Choral Group of The year for three years running (2000 – 2002), Best Mass Choir (2003), National Award for the promotion of Tourism through Music, as well as Special Marketing Award from the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana in 2003. It was recognized as Choral Ambassadors of the Efutu State of Winneba in 2004, and awarded the Newmont Youth Achievement Award - Music Category in 2006. In 2008 it received the ACRAG award for best Choral Group.
It is affiliated to the University of Education, Winneba. It is governed by a board chaired by Mr. Peter Kwesi Sackey, a retired foreign service officer of the Republic of Ghana, with Dr. Henry Brew-Graves as Vice-Chairman. Mr. Edusei Derkyi, a bank executive, is Honorary Secretary to the Board.
WHAT IS NEW:
20th Anniversary Launch
The Choir will launch its 20th Anniversary programme at its annual “Peace On Earth” Christmas Concert, at the Adaekese Hall of the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Accra, on December 19, 2008, at 7.00 pm. This year’s event will also feature the Okyeman Youth Choir, and the Winneba Childrens Choir. The climax of the celebrations will be in May 2009, when the Choir will be 20 years old.
The occasion will be used to launch two new Music CDs, “To God and Country Volume 2” and Favorite Hymns and Anthems Volume 4”. Also to be launched at the December 19th event, will be the first ever DVD/VCD production by the Choir titled Delightful Denmark, and which covers the recent visit of the Choir to Copenhagen, Denmark.
Winneba Youth Choir to appear at FESAAM 2009
The Winneba Youth Choir has been invited to attend the Festival of African and African American Music 2009, due to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, US from February 12 to 15, 2009. The Choir will be paying tribute to great African composers, in line with the theme of the festival, and has begun fundraising for this event.
We will appreciate the support of all to enable us raise sufficient funds to cover return air fares for 35 members to travel.
Winneba Youth Choir performs at BBC World Debate Programme Accra, September 3, 2008.
The programme was broadcast on 11th and 12th October 2008.
GNA - Mobile Telecommunications Network (MTN) Ghana, in collaboration with its partners in the entertainment industry would hold a world class "Yellow Party" on October 4, 2008 to celebrate Ghanaian sports and music heroes, the MTN brand and the country itself.
Mr. George Andah, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, who announced this on Wednesday, said the party, to be held at the Accra Mall, would kick start the celebration of one year of MTN in Ghana, he said.
The music heroes selected to benefit from a special package from MTN include Kojo Antwi, MTN's own music icon Samini, Jerry Hansen of Ramblers fame and the Winneba Youth Choir. The sport heroes are Ghanaian international Michael Essien, Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah and Accra Heart of Oak Football Club.
Mr Andah said the heroes were selected from many Ghanaians who had lived the MTN brand values of leadership, innovation, building strong relationships, integrity and the Can-do spirit (LIRIC). "We are very proud of the heroes and also of our remarkable achievements in one year and most importantly about how Ghanaians have embraced the MTN brand and what the brand stands for," he said.
20th Anniversary Project The Choir will be 20 years in May 2009, and has set for itself the challenge of building a Youth Centre in Winneba with facilities for rehearsals and performances, as well as audio visual recording studios, and library for authentic African works. Also included are residential facilities for individuals and groups of up to 30. For this project the Choir has acquired a 200 ft by 200 ft plot of land in a prime location in Winneba. We invite sponsors and patrons of the arts to contribute by way of cash or equipment to this project, which is estimated to take 18 months to complete, at an estimated construction cost of US$500,000.00
Edwin Ghunney appointed Choirmaster of Okyeman Youth Choir: Edwin Ghunney, a member of the Board of Winneba Youth Choir, has been appointed Choirmaster of the Okyeman Youth Choir. Mr. Ghunney holds a Bachelors Degree in Music as well as a Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Education/Winneba. He is married to Nana Yaa, with two Children. His appointment follows the founding Choirmaster George Edzii, and Samuel Aidoo, who has returned to the Winneba Youth Choir, as joint Choirmaster of the Winneba Childrens Choir.
PROFILE:
The Choir has gained national as well as international recognition as a world-class choir. The high points of the Choir’s activities include the following:
September 2008 The choir organised a choral music camp in Winneba for a 40 member choir of the “Alliance Pour La Promotion Du Chant Choral” of the Republic of Togo.
July 2008 Attendance and performances at the 8th World Symposium on Choral Music in Copenhagen/Denmark, at the Glyptotek, Tivoli Gardens, and the Opera House.
At the Opera House - Copenhagen
At the Open Air Theatre – Tivoli Gardens
July 2008 A member of the Choir, Francis Baffoe (Bass 2) joined the World Youth Choir summer camp in Hongkong, Guangzhou, and Macao.
April/May 2008 The Choir hosted the first Camp of the “African Children Sing!” initiative of the IFCM, and follow through tour of Seoul and Busan – South Korea.
February 2008 Performance at State Banquet for the state visit of Excellencies George and Laura Bush (President and first Lady of the United States of America, respectfully) to Ghana.
January 2008 The Choir again hosted the Still Waters Youth Sinfonia of Metropolitan Atlanta.
August 2007 The Choir organised the 1st Jubilee Music Festival with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ghana and a number of international virtuoso concert instrumentalists, including Rachel Barton Pine (Violin) Dr. Wendy Hymes (Flute), George Francois (Piano), and Rodger French (Accordion). The event was to commemorate Ghana’s Golden Jubilee year. This was a joint project of the Winneba Youth Choir, St. Louis African Chorus Inc., and the International Centre for Music and Dance (affiliate of the University of Ghana).
July 2007 A member of the Choir, Francis Baffoe (Bass 2) joined the World Youth Choir summer camp in Johannesburg South Africa and Windhoek Namibia.
July/Aug 2007 Performance in Accra Ghana with world renowned Fisk Jubilee Choir and the Morgan State University Choir. The events were by courtesy of the US Embassy in Ghana.
June 2007 Performance in Accra Ghana with the Whitney Young Concert Choir from Chicago
January 2007 Performance at state banquet for the state visit of Excellencies Horst and Eva Luisa Kohler (President and First Lady respectfully of the Republic of Germany) to Ghana.
March 2006 Joint performance in Accra Ghana with the Gordonstoun School Choir from the UK.
February 2006 The Choir hosted the first Ghana Camp of Village Harmony, an affiliate of the St. Louis African Chorus Inc. to a two week workshop in Winneba, and concert in Accra.
July/Aug 2005 Joint performance in Accra Ghana with the National Children’s Choir of Bahamas.
August 2004 The Choir hosted the Osnabruck Youth Choir from Germany to a joint concert in Accra.
April 2004 Performance at fund-raising concert in Accra Ghana, with Stevie Wonder.
September 2003 Performance in Lagos Nigeria with Dr. Femi Akinkugbe (Soprano) at the invitation of the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON).
December 2002 Performance with Hugh Masekela in Accra.
November 2002 Performance in the Reublic of Benin, West Africa with Ron Kenoly, Rodnie Bryant, Rebecca Malope and others.
November 2001 Joint performances of Guiseppe Verdi Choruses with the Bavarian Police Band in Munich and Bamberg in commemoration of the centenary celebration of Verdi, and the Golden Jubilee of the Bavarian Police Band.
July 2000 Appearance at the International Expo 2000 in Hannover,
Germany.
CONTACT US: P. O. Box CT 5820, Cantonements, Accra, Ghana.
Tel: +233 24 222 2156
Website: www.winnebayouthchoir.com
Updated October 19, 2008 |
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