UPCOMING EVENT: @ Milton Keynes, UK - August 24th, 2024

"Rejoice Africa" - Program Notes 

One Voice Choir Performs- "Celebrate Africa" in Kenya - May, 2024

Celebrate Africa! Celebrate!

Let's move to the left,

Let's move to the right,

let's move forward and turn around.

Celebrate Africa! Celebrate!

The One Voice Choir from Ghana performed "Celebrate Africa" from the musical "Rejoice Africa" in Kenya. Premiered on May 1st at the National Theater in Accra, Ghana, the song's infectious rhythms, simple melody, and harmonies inspired spontaneous dancing and singing, showcasing music's power to unite and foster camaraderie.

This joyful effect was not limited to "Celebrate Africa"; other songs by African composers performed by the choir also elicited enthusiastic reactions. This demonstrates African choral music's potential as an economically viable art form and a catalyst for positive social change, though it is often underestimated in the region.

I earnestly appeal to governments and arts institutions, both in Africa and worldwide, to recognize and support the immense potential of African choral music. By harnessing its power, we can foster cultural exchange, promote economic growth, ensure the sustainability of our rich cultural heritage, and bring about positive community change globally.

Review on Musical "Songs of Akotam" - Jesse Johnson & Kwaku Frimpong

George Mensah Essilfie is one of Ghana’s most respected composers and choral directors. His direct and indirect influence within Ghana’s choral music community, as well as the renown he has won for himself globally, easily make him one of the most important figures to consider when attempting to understand Ghana’s serious music culture. After a long absence from the republic, Essilfie returned to Ghana to witness the premier of Songs of Akotam, an original musical he wrote and composed in 2019.

The musical was staged by Harmonious Chorale, under the stage direction of Johnson Edu and Samuel Arko Mensah, both professors at the University of Education in Winneba, as well as the choir’s founder, James Varrick Armaah. James was once a chorister and keyboardist with Essilfie’s Winneba Youth Choir, at one time Ghana’s most prominent youth choir. The event took place on Sunday 11th June at the National Theatre. Read More....

HOPE FOR THE SHACKLED

Composed for the 32 Bright Clouds project and received its World Premiere in Washington DC on January 24, 2019. It is connected to Beethoven’s Sonata no. 16 in G major, Op.31 No. 1.

​ Curated and performed by pianist Yael Weiss, an International Award-winning pianist. 32 composers selected from different countries. George Mensah Essilfie represented Ghana with his piano piece, "Hope for the Shackled." The piece is dedicated to those living with psychotic disorders and being physically bound up in faith-based camps in Ghana rather than receiving appropriate medical attention. 

GME @ HC Rehearsals

KaLABasHi Event

The African Choral Experience That Wowed Its Audience

The Musical, Songs of Akotam

The village of Akotam loses its passion and music soul until tragedy strikes when a heartless Beast named Kakum captures their beloved Princess. The villagers unite to find a brave hero who embarks on a dangerous journey to rescue her, rekindling their music soul and camaraderie spirit. The musical, "Songs of Akotam," was the highlight of the KaLaBashi event held at the National Theatre, Accra on June 11, 2023. 

The musical featured the Harmonious Chorale, an International Award-Winning Choir conducted by James Varrick Armaah and was directed by Mr. Samuel Arko Mensah and Dr. Johnson Edu. Other performances during the event included The Dynamic Youth Choir, The Symphonials, Windy Choir, African Youth Choir, and African Glorious Choir.

CHORAL WORSHIP

Arr. by George Mensah Essilfie

A visit to Glorious Philharmonic Choir