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Concerts
The ensemble is available for 1-2 hour-long concerts.
Programming for concerts may vary depending on the specific occasion.
A typical African drumming and dance concert features traditional
dances from Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe in addition to our new contemporary
creations. Other programs celebrating the African Diaspora feature
in addition to the above styles expressions from the Caribbean, North
and Latin America
Educational Workshops
These activities are organized at different levels. K-12,
High Schools and College/University levels in addition to Teacher Development
Workshops
K-12 Activities
- Experiencing African music and dance through Dalcroze
and Orff methods
- Experiencing African music and dance through Games
- Interactive story telling
- Experiencing African visual arts: masks and adinkra symbols
High Schools
- Sessions for band, choir, orchestra and other ensembles
- Experiencing African Music and dance through the Alcate Pedagogy
- African drumming and dance master classes- hands on activities
- Special lecture demonstrations
- Step dance master classes
- Jazz dance master classes
- 3 - Day residencies culminating in a 1-hour command concert
College/Universities
- African drumming and dance master classes- hands on activities
- Special Lecture Workshops
- 3 - 7 Day residencies culminating in 2-hour command concert
- Afro-Cuban drumming and dance master classes- hands on activities
- Step dance master classes
- Jazz dance master classes
- Latin drumming and dance master classes - hands on activities
Teacher Development Workshops
- Curriculum Development - Teaching Strategies - Hands on Sessions
- Experiencing African concepts and ideas about rhythm
- Experiencing African Music and dance through Dalcroze and Orff methods
- Choruses from the African Diaspora and Movement
- Social Studies and the Arts
- Children's games as instructional tools for teaching music
- African drumming and dance master classes- hands on activities
Other programs are available for professional groups-Percussionists, Dancers
and other Theatrical Artists.
How to Schedule Programs
Program Fees: This varies depending on the nature of activities and travel involved.
Scheduling: Programs are scheduled at least four months in advance on first-come.
first- served basis
Billing and Payment: A confirmation letter, contract and invoice will be sent
prior to the program. Payment is expected following the program or otherwise
arranged.
Summer International Programs
Augustine and Catherine Younge Memorial Music and Cultural Festival. (AcyFest).
Azaguno is proud to sponsor an Annual Music and Cultural Festival in Dzodze,
Volta Region of Ghana in honor of the late Augustine Kwasigah Younge and Catherine
Younge. Activities include choral, brass band and traditional music and dance
performances. The first of such festivals was held during the last month of June
2004.
Augustine and Catherine Younge Memorial Music and Cultural Festival was successfully
organized by Azaguno in collaboration with the Young families of Dzodze, Vodza
and Lome; Togbui Dey 111; the Dzodze Roman Catholic Parish, Professor Cletus
Dordunoo and friends to honor two individuals, the late Augustine Kwasigah Younge
and Catherine Younge who in their lime time contributed immensely to the development
of music and culture in Ghana Dzodze, Volta Region of Ghana from June 25-27.
Augustine and Catherine Younge Memorial Music and Cultural Festival was successfully
organized by Azaguno in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council,
Ketu District Assembly, Young families of Dzodze, Vodza and Lome; Togbui Dey
111; the Dzodze Roman Catholic Parish, Keta-Akatsi Diocese and friends to honor
two individuals, the late Augustine Kwasigah Younge and Catherine Younge who
in their lime time contributed immensely to the development of music and culture
in Ghana Dzodze, Volta Region of Ghana from June 23-24.
2004 ACYFEST: Augustine and Catherine Younge Memorial Music
and Cultural Festival was successfully organized by Azaguno in collaboration with
the Young families of Dzodze, Vodza and Lome; Togbui Dey 111; the Dzodze Roman Catholic
Parish, Professor Cletus Dordunoo and friends to honor two individuals, the late
Augustine Kwasigah Younge and Catherine Younge who in their lime time contributed
immensely to the development of music and culture in Ghana Dzodze, Volta Region of
Ghana from June 25-27. This Annual event
The Need for Acyfest
Festivals are celebrations of events, which remind us of the spirit of hard work,
determination and selflessness geared towards remarkable achievements in society.
Festivals provide opportunities for self-examination and rededication, reminiscent
of the great feats of old. They also spotlight individuals or groups of people in
a given society who have dedicated themselves and played diverse roles, leaving indelible
marks to be honored and cherished by prosperity. The late Augustine Kwasigah Young
and Catherine Afiwor Young cannot therefore be left out of this family of individuals
as they immensely contributed to the growth and development of Christian Sacred music,
tradition and culture in Ghana.
Acyfest Mission:
- To celebrate and promote the work of Augustine Kwasigah Young and Catherine Afiwor
Young
- To document the sacred choral traditions of Ghana,
- To advance research and documentation of traditional music of Ghana,
- To create music schorlarship fund to support students from the Keta-Akatsi Diocese
in higher learning, and
- To promote the development, teaching and learning of the performing arts: music,
dance, drama and other cognate art forms at all levels of basic education especially
from K-12.
The Work of Augustine Kwasigah Young
In 1960, when the Catholic Church realized the itching
urge to inject more African Culture in her Christian worship to revitalize
the Liturgy and Mass, Mr. A.K. Young,
alias Master Young, in a solo effort revolutionized
the Roman Catholic Church music by initially replacing the ìOld Latin Hymnsî with
traditional tunes accompanied by African musical instruments. As his
determination persisted, he found
himself in the greatest imbroglio as some church elders
and musicians cast insinuations for what they believed to be anti-Christ
(Catholic). With much encouragement from
his dear wife Catherine and full support by the Papal
Seat in Rome, Master Young delved deeper and came out with many compositions
and innovations which provided
the foundation that seemed to meet the aspirations
and expectations of the awakened African Catholicism in Ghana and in
particular the Keta-Ho Diocese at the time. If
traditional African drums, bells and rattles are heard
in Catholic churches today, we must with all certainty and reverence
remember the good deeds of Master Young.
He made it happen.
The Work of Catherine Afiwor Young
Mrs. Catherine Afiwor Young, alias Davi, with her innate talent for singing, mobilized
sections of the Dzodze women to sing choral laments and recite eulogies at funerals.
Many sectional groups sprang up as emotions were sensitized at such singing events.
All the Dzodze Women Atsigo (Atiblakame) Groups therefore developed from the smaller
groups, which were started by Davi. Though not an adept composer, she was the initiator,
administrator, and director of these traditional groups until her untimely death
in May of 1995. Miwordeka-Lorlornyo Haborbor and other women singing and dancing
groups in Dzodze today owe their gratitude to Davi for establishing such a unique
tradition of excellence in our society.
2004 ACYFEST HIGLIGHTS
June 25 ñ Carnival by Participating Groups:
R. S. Choir, Dzodze
St. Anthonyís Choir, Penyi
St. Peter and Paulís Choir
St. Gregory Choir, Dzodze
E P Church Choir, Dzodze
Roman Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Dzodze
Apeyeme Gota
Apetepe Akpoka
Aflao Adzogbo
Dzogadze Atsiagbekor Group
Lome Koba group
Dzodze Dzigbordi Group
Anlo-Afiadenyigba Gadzo
June 26 ñ Grand Durdar:
Activities include: Choral Competition (won by
SS Peter and Paulsí Choir of
Dzodze), Traditional Drumming and Dance Performances
and others. Speakers at this event were Most Rev. Francis Lodonu, PROF.
C. K. Dordonoo, Hon. MP Modestus Ahiable,
Joseph Young, Prof. Paschal Younge (Acyfest Executive
Officer), Rev. Fathers, J. Odzamgba, F. W. Techie, Prof. James Flolu,.
Prof. Komla Amoako, Executive Director
of the National Theater of Ghana, delivered the inaugural
speech.
June 27- Thanksgiving Mass at the Roman Catholic
Church which was followed by a Picnic at the Victory Park, Dzodze
Sponsors and Donors:
USA- Azaguno, Inc, Prof. Paschal Younge, Dr. Zelma
Badu-Younge, Dr. Tim Peterman, Dr. Daniel Avorgbedor, Dr. Dave Schmalenberger,
Gloria McCully, Gordon Nunn, Whitney
Jacobs, Rudy Logan, Rolanda Jones, Brett Wiewiora,
Angela Abadilla, Zachary George, Irene Frieze, Stephen Gbolonyo, Donna
Hastings, Sean Haleem and Michael Ramsey
Taiwan- Pei-Chin Wu; Ghana ñ Philip Kassah, Bob Coffie Dusu and
Freedom Hotel, Ho
Acyfest Executives and Festival Planning Committee:
Prof. Paschal Younge, Executive Director
Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge, Artistic Director
Joseph Young, Administrator
Lawrence Young, Public Relations
Philip Kassah, Finance
Blandina Young, Choral Groups
Proper Gbolonyo, Traditional Drumming Groups
Chief Dey 111, Advisor
Prof. .Komla Amoako, Advisor
Prof. C. K. Dordonoo, Advisor
Hon. M.P. Modestus Ahiable, Advisor
Dr. Cosmos Dordonoo, Advisor
Mr. Atsu Atsiatorme, Advisor
Rev. Father J. Odzamgba Rep. of the Bishop, Keta-Akatsi
Diocese
Rev. Father W. Techie, Rep. of the Bishop, Keta-Akatsi
Diocese
ACYFEST
2006
Augustine and Catherine Younge Memorial Music and Cultural Festival was successfully
organized by Azaguno in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council,
Ketu District Assembly, Young families of Dzodze, Vodza and Lome; Togbui Dey
111; the Dzodze Roman Catholic Parish, Keta-Akatsi Diocese and friends to honor
two individuals, the late Augustine Kwasigah Younge and Catherine Younge who
in their lime time contributed immensely to the development of music and culture
in Ghana Dzodze, Volta Region of Ghana from June 23-24.
Highlights
June 23 Carnival by Participating Groups
Choirs
Awudome Secondary School Choir, Tsito
St. Anthony’s Choir, Penyi
St. Peter and Paul’s Choir, Dzodze
E P Church Choir, Dzodze
Christ The King Catholic Choir, Akatsi
Angelic Choir Denu
St.. Joseph’s Choir, Dzodze
St. Anthony’s Anglican Choir, Penyi
Traditional Drumming Groups
Aflao Mawulikplimi Adzogbo
Anlo Afiadenyigba Babasiko
Anlo Afiadenyigba Gadzo
Dzodze Apetepe Akpoka
Dzodze Apetepe Atrikpui
Dzodze Atibladekame
Dzodze Apeyeme Gota
Dzodze Kpordoave Gazo Ensemble
Dzodze Adagbledu Kinka Ensemble
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