Dr. Joshua Alfred Amuah -
Joshua Alfred Amuah is currently a Snr. lecturer and the Head of Department in the Department of Music, School of Performing Arts, University of Ghana, Legon. He basically trained as a teacher, and holds a Ph.D in Music (Theory and Composition) from University of Ghana, Legon & University of Rochester, USA, M.Phil (Music Theory and Composition) from the University of Ghana, Legon, B.Ed. (Music and Ghanaian Language) and Dip.(Mus. Ed) from the University of Education, Winneba. He teaches courses related to Music Theory and Composition, Choral Directing and Voice to undergraduate and post graduate students at the Department of Music, University of Ghana, Legon and serves as a Visiting lecturer at the Department of Music Education, University of Education, Winneba, and is actively involved in Choral Directing and Adjudication throughout Ghana. He has been keenly involved in the activities of the West African Examinations Council as the Chief Examiner of the West African Senior High School Examinations. He takes interest in an analytical study of choral music compositions, and has published extensively on topics associated with choral and theory music in journals of international repute, and has won a couple of local and international awards.
Contact Details:
E mail: jamuah@ug.edu.gh or joshuaamuah@yahoo.com
Tel: Office: +233 (0)20 859 0222
Cell +233 (0)24 020 7400
- 2006- 2012 University of Ghana, Legon & University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.
- 2012 Ph.D (Music Theory and Composition)
- 1998 -2001 University of Ghana, Legon
- 2001 Phil (Music Theory and Composition)
- 1993 -1996 University College of Education, Winneba
- 1996 Bachelor of Education (Music/Gh. Language- Akan)
- 1988 -1991 National Academy of Music, Winneba
- 1991 Diploma in Music Education
- 1990 General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level
- 1982 -1985 Komenda Training College, Komenda
- 1985 Teacher’s Certificate “A” 3-Year Post Sec
- 1979 -1982 T.I Ahmadiyya Secondary School, Essarkyir.
- 1982 General Certificate of Education - Ordinary Level
- 2013 University of Ghana Research Fund Award Winner for the 6th Call for proposals (Creating a Database of Ghanaian Choral Compositions) (Collecting, Editing, and Publishing of Choral Works of Selected Ghanaian Composers
- 2011 Ph.D Dissertation Completion Award, Awarded by University of Rochester, New York, USA.
- 2011 Ph.D Dissertation Completion Fellowship Awarded by American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)
- 2010 Conference Grant Awarded by University of Ghana. Legon,
- 2009 Ph.D Research Grant Awarded by University of Ghana, Legon
- 1995 Best Composer Award Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana, Anthem Contest· 1995 Merit Award University College of Education, Winneba
- Traditional Music in Christian Worship
- Traditional Music in Contemporary Choral Music
- Analytical Study of Contemporary Choral Compositional trends
- Critical Study of Choral Music Compositions and Performances.
A. PEER REVIEWED PAPERS
1. Andoh, T.E. & Amuah, J.A (2014) Creative composition and the indigenous
knowledge system in Ghana: Models from the life and compositions of Nana Afua Abasa. International Journal of Music and Performing Arts Vol 2(2) pp 1-10
2.Amuah, J.A. & Andoh T.E (2014) Roles and Functions of Ebibindwom (Akan
Sacred Lyrics) Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 2 (5B) pp 708-712
3.Amuah, J.A (2014) Promoting the performing arts in Ghana: The role of Salt
and Light Ministries Journal of Performing Arts, Legon Vol. 4 (4)pp
4. Acquah, E.O, Amuah, J.A & Annan, J.F (2014) The contextual and
performance dimensions of asafo music from the perspective of annual Akwambo festival. International Journal of African Society, Cultures and Traditions Vol. 2. (2) pp 50-60
5. Amuah, J.A (2014) Music education in Ghana. www. musicinafrica.net
6. Amuah, J.A & Arthur, K. (2014) Appreciating Ghanaian Choral Music:
George Mensah Essilfie’s Yɛdze Wo Kɛseyɛ maW’, (We ascribe to your greatness) in Perspective. Global Journal of Human Social Sciences Vol. 14 (3) pp 7-13
7. Amuah, J.A & Acquah, E.O (2014) Music analytical presentation of Newlove
Annan’s mɔbɔ dawur (I will tell it to the world) International Journal of Asian Social Studies Vol. 2 (4) pp 100-111
8. Acquah, E.O & Amuah, J.A. (2014).Thematic categorization, text
interpretation and melodic relationship of songs of Ajumako Mando Kyirem Asafo No. 1. (Asian Journal of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities) Vol.4 (6) pp. 49-65
9. Amuah, J.A. & Nyamful A. (2014) Digital and multimedia way out to the
preservation of Ebibindwom (Akan sacred lyrics) Journal of Arts and Humanities, Vol.3(2) pp 64-72
10. Amuah, J.A, Ocran, D.S, & Acquah, E.O (2014) Liturgical changes in the
repertory of the Methodist Church Ghana. International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research Vol.2 (2) pp 18-25
11. Amuah, J.A. (2014) Typology of Ghanaian choral music: Current perspectives (The International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies)Vol.2 (2) pp 85-89
12. Amuah, J.A, Sunu Doe, E., Fiagbedzi, E.E.K, Amenyo, C.A (2014). The concept of chromaticism in Ghanaian highlife music: A study of Kwadwo Donkoh’s wobe ku me (you will kill me). American Journal of Social Sciences, Arts and Literature Vol. 1 (1) pp 1-8
13. Amuah, J.A (2013) Biography and adventures of George Worlasi Kwasi Dor in the discovery of traditional [musical] elements in choral music compositions. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 4(4) pp 227-235
14. Amuah, J. A. (2013) A survey of choral art music performance scenes in Ghana. Online International Journal of Arts and Humanities. Vol. 2 (10):242-247
15. Amuah, J. A. (2013). The study and practice of theory and composition among women in Ghana. Journal of Literature and Art Studies. Vol. 3 (11) pp. 718-728.
16. Amuah, J.A & Acquah, E.O. (2013) Twenty five years of choral music performance: contribution of Winneba youth choir (WYC) in the socio-economic development of Ghana. Journal on International Institute for Science, Technology and Education Vol. 3 (19) pp. 105-112.
17. Amuah, J. A (2013) Nicodemus Kofi Badu, his biography and exploits in the utilization of traditional music elements in choral compositions (Journal of African Arts and Culture) Vol.1 (1) pp. 101-111
18. Amuah, J. A (2012) The use of traditional music in Christian worship: a case of Ebibindwom in the Methodist Church (Bulletin of Theology, University of Ghana, Legon) New Series Vol. 4 (5) pp. 89-98
19. Amuah, J. A (2009) The use of traditional musical genre as a pre-compositional resource in Ghanaian contemporary choral art music: perspectives from Newlove Annan’s Ewuradze. (Lord) (Journal of Performing Arts) Vol.8 (1) pp. 42-62
A. BOOK CHAPTERS
20. Amuah, J. A (2014). The development of indigenous musical styles in the Methodist church-Ghana (1835-present) in New Perspectives on African Humanities: Beliefs, Values and Artistic Expression (Eds. G.S.K Adika, G Ossom Batsa & H. Yitah)
C. BOOKS
21. Amuah, J.A, Acquah, E.O, Annan, J.F, Hope, S.K.(2014) Abridged and Deodorized Piano Scores for Late Beginners (A Collection and Arrangement of Local Tunes for the Piano) Hagan Printing Press, Accra.
22. Amuah, J.A.(2008) Methodist Praise 1 – A supplementary Liturgical Tunes for Methodist Church - Ghana Nyakod Printing Works (231 pages)
23. Amuah, J.A (2004) Songs for Christmas Vol. 1-Ghanaian Composers. (Solfa Edition) Accra: Ceejay Printing Press. Abeka Lapaz.(68 pages)
24. Amuah, J.A (2003) Practice in Rudiments of Music with hints for working. (Grade 1) Fine Printing Press. Tema (42 Pages)
C. CREATIVE WORKS
(a) IN BOOKS
25. Amuah, J.A. (2008) Song No. 119 Teacher Job – From Methodist praise 1 (Supplementary Liturgical Tunes) Cape Coast, Nyakod Printing Press. (Page 141)
26. Amuah, J.A. (2008) Song No. 194 Jehova Tumfo – From Methodist praise 1 (Supplementary Liturgical Tunes) Cape Coast, Nyakod Printing Press. (Page 89)
27. Amuah, J.A. (2004) Song No. 15, Afrenhyiapa – From Songs for Christmas. Accra: Ceejay Printing Press. Abeka Lapaz (page -29 )
28. Amuah, J.A. (2004) Song N0. 16 Christmas Bells- Accra: Ceejay Printing Press. Abeka Lapaz (pages-30)
(b) COMPACT DISC (CD)
29. Amuah, J.A. & Anku W.O (2013) Ghana Technology University College Anthem Composed & Recorded Music Department, University of Ghana Productions
30. Amuah, J.A. (2013) A Night with Dr. Joshua A. Amuah (A performance of my compositions by choral groups in Abura Dunkwa.
31. Amuah, J.A & Anku W.O, (2006) National Identification Jingle: A song for the National Identification Authority. Accra, Soundstage Productions.
32. Amuah, J. A & Sekyi-Baidoo, J. Y (2006) O for a thousand tongues to sing: A recording of hymns for the Association of Methodist Church Choirs-Ghana
33. Amuah, J. A & Sekyi-Baidoo, J. Y (2004) Popular chants: A teaching and learning production for church choirs
FORTHCOMING
34. Amuah, J.A. (2014) Contemporary scene of choral music performances in Ghana (University of Ghana 65th Anniversary Reader), Legon
B. BOOKS
35. Amuah, J.A. (2014) George Dor, His Biography and Selected Choral Works. Asempa Publishers
36. Amuah, J.A. (2014). Ed. by Amuah, J.A, Acquah, E.O, Wuaku, H. M. Passion (An Anthology of Songs for Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday) Staff Edition. Asempa Publishers
37. Amuah, J.A. (2014) Theory of Music (The Simplest Approach) Ghana Universities Press (128 Pages)
38. Amuah, J.A (2014) Songs for Christmas Vol. 1-Ghanaian Composers. (Staff Edition) Accra: Asempa Publishers.(68 pages)