The Influence of Music in Ghana: Past and Present

My World Music Drumming class did a customized Virtual Exchange with EDU Africa where we heard three different presentations from Ghanaian musicians over the course of a few weeks during class. Each speaker presented a different aspect of Ghanaian music and illustrated how traditional music is connected to contemporary music that people listen to today. My students were fascinated by some of the cultural traditions they spoke about, such as a baby-naming ceremony, and how music is an important part of everyday life in Ghana. These speakers brought to life in my classroom what my students previously thought of as a far-away place, as they shared stories, videos, and live musical performances. Several students shared that through hearing these speakers, they now have a new understanding and appreciation for a place they had never thought much about before.

This was my first experience working with EDU Africa. I thoroughly enjoyed working with them to create this virtual exchange that was customized to my music course with a focus on global diversity. I plan to work with them again next semester to build upon this experience for my students.