Four choruses inspired by Ghana-Togo imaginary border line

Abstract

The study contains four choral musical works written to celebrate unity in diversity and to serve as a personal motivation for its relevance for a master’s degree research. In spite of the imaginary line resulting from imperialistic territorial aggrandizement that divide households and townsmen who live in communities along the Ghana-Togo border, these communities have continued to preserve the cultural exchanges of their old traditions from generation to generation. Consequently, the border line does not significantly separate them as a people. This phenomenological case study collected data from three towns in the Volta Region of Ghana - Kpetoe, Dakpa and Dzodze – whose indigenes are divide by the imaginary Ghana-Togo border line. Data was collected on provenance, language, dressing, food, religious practices and musical forms. Firstly, the study analysed the data collected and compared the similarities and differences in their ways of life, and secondly, used their musical element commonalities as resources for composing four grandiose musical choruses (i.e., for SATB). The resulting musical products, four choruses, were ultimately performed by three choirs — one from Ghana and two from Togo. The productions of the works into live music were in separate performances showcasing the researcher’s artistic vision for both local and international audiences. Finally, the researcher analysed the works to give a panoramic view of the musical constructional procedures that reflect his thinking processes to guide listeners and performers alike. The study established that the communities continue to flourish by preserving their old traditions in spite of modernity and political challenges. It expanded my composition field of study and my general musicianship. Lastly, a significant contribution the study brings to academia is how the works blend the Amu-Nayo bi-cultural choral tradition with the synergies of indigenous vocal tonal forms of the communities along the Ghana-Togo border