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Ghana: Urban Ethnomusicology
Study the influence, impact, and evolution of musical forms in Ghana. Music plays a central role in traditional and contemporary cultural expression in Ghana, where it often has a multi-dimensional meaning, and includes dance, song and drama. Popular Ghanaian music has often set the standard for West African musical expression, and Ghanaian artists are well known on the world music scene. Additionally, there are forms of musical expression that have evolved in Ghana over the past 20 years that are little known outside of their regions.
During this seven-week program, students have the opportunity to explore urban influences on music and its evolution, incorporating an examination of both traditional and contemporary elements. The program focuses on the processes that take place in the evolution of new music, dance, vocal, or performance styles as a result of an urban environment. Students participate in homestays in Accra and Kumasi, allowing them firsthand knowledge of the role of music in everyday life. Additionally, students participate in group workshops and receive individual instruction on a musical form of their choice, allowing students to concentrate on any aspect of Ghanaian music.
The program is based in Accra, with educational excursions to Kumasi and rural areas in the Volta region. In addition to classroom study, students attend performances and workshops at the University of Ghana, the WEB DuBois Centre, the Ghana Dance Ensemble, the Kumasi Center for National Culture, and local venues.
