Methodist University College promotes Negro Spiritual Music

Accra, Sept. 30, GNA - The Methodist University College, Ghana (MUCG) in collaboration with the United States Embassy in Accra will on Saturday, 2nd October 2010, treat Ghanaians to a Musical Concert that aims at promoting Negro Spiritual Music.

Negro Spiritual music is a kind of folk religious music that the Africans who were taken as slaves to the United States used to sing to worship in praise of their Maker.

The musical concert which is free for the public is also being organized as part of the 10th Anniversary the Celebration of MUCG.

Dr Francis Kobina Saighoe, Director of the Music Centre at MUCG, said the Concert which is featuring about eight choirs would enable more Ghanaians to appreciate the Negro Spiritual Music as well as know the difference between that kind of music and other gospel music.

He explained that Negro Spiritual Music was usually sang without the backing of musical instruments while gospel music came with musical instruments, adding, another difference between Negro Spiritual Music and the gospel music was that the former was created in the rural areas while the latter was created in urban centres.

"It was this kind of music that was ultimately transformed into Jazz music," he said, emphasizing the importance of knowing the musical tradition of African Americans created in the then "New World."

The Musical Concert dubbed: "The Rhythm Road, American Music Abroad," features a gospel quartet called "Turning Pointe," a group based in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States.

The Rhythm Road concert is organized every year to encourage mutual respect and understanding between the United States and countries visited by the ensemble.

Mr Mark Patterson, Leader of Turning Pointe, said the group together with the other choirs would perform songs that would encourage and uplift the souls of their audiences.

He urged all Ghanaians especially the youth to patronise the event to be held at the National Theatre, and be ready to have some fun.

Mr Patterson said: "We will lift up our voices and sing with one soul, it is all about love, faith and hope."

GNA