University of Ghana Jubilee Choir in 10th Anniversary Concert

University of Ghana Jubilee Choir 

The University of Ghana Jubilee Choir in collaboration with the Public Affairs Directorate last Friday held a concert dubbed ‘Wogbejeke’ at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the choir on the theme ‘A Decade of Unfailing Praise’.

Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs and Patron, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir

In her welcome address, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs, a cherished patron of the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir who chaired the ceremony, congratulated the choir for coming this far.  She wished them many more years of joyful singing.

Mr. Timothy Esiam Andoh, former Director, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir

Mr. Timothy Esiam Andoh, former Director, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir, in brief remarks, wished the Jubilee Choir well in their delightful ministrations as they touch lives.

Tracing the genesis of the Jubilee Choir, Prof. Kwesi Yankah, a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who is described as the brain behind the formation of the Choir, recalled how it all began saying after listening to some student choirs at the National Theatre in mid-2008, he was thrilled with the awesome voices, and upon his return to campus, he immediately conferred with Mr. Timothy Andoh to put together a University Choir.  (See history of the UG Jubilee Choir)

Miss Jennifer Welbeck, President, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir

In her address, Miss Jennifer Welbeck, President of the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir, noted that, despite the challenges faced by the choir, God’s grace has kept them safe and hoped the same grace will see them through the years ahead.

There were performances of organ recital, hymnals, from the celebrants and the guest choir, Greater Accra Mass Choir. Some alumni of the Choir performed to the admiration of all – Kennedy Dankwah and Mitchelle Ajeigbe.  Earlier, Philip Avumegah, Harry Ballad and Uhondo Major started off the function with curtain raisers which captivated the audience.

Earlier, Miss Amanda Okine, an alumna of the Jubilee Choir, in her remarks, mentioned that, the Jubilee Choir had strengthened her love for choral music, and she believed that the sky was a starting point with God on their side.

Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs in her closing remarks, encouraged the choir to stay focused and to continue to bring joy to others as they also reap fruits of blessings in all their endeavours.

Dr. Ben Amakye-Boateng, Director, Jubilee Choir receives citation

Citations were presented to Dr. Ben Amakye-Boateng, Senior Lecturer, Music Department and Director of the Jubilee Choir; Mr. Timothy Esiam Andoh, Former Director, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir; Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director of Public Affairs Directorate and patron of the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir and Mrs. Mavis Osafo Adu, Assistant Registrar, Public Affairs Directorate for their immense contributions towards the choir over the years.

There were goodwill messages from the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ebenezer Oduro Owusu and the Minister of State in charge of Tertiary Education, Prof. Kwesi Yankah.

Present at the ceremony were, Mr. John Dumelo, the National Democratic Congress Parliamentary Candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency a special guest, university officials, staff and students of the University of Ghana.  The MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the special guest of honour sent apologies for not being able to attend due to equally pressing commitments.

History of the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir

In the run up to the University of Ghana’s 60th Anniversary, the idea of establishing a University Choir was mooted. Prof. Kwesi Yankah, then the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, who was the brain behind the formation, discussed this idea with Mr. Timothy Esiam Andoh, then Head of Department of Music. Subsequently, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, then Acting Director of Public Affairs was robed in. After several deliberations and going through the necessary institutional processes, the University of Ghana Jubilee Choir was established in 2008.

Mr. Andoh was tasked to mobilize students who were interested in becoming members as well as provide technical support to the Choir. Public Affairs was tasked with providing administrative and logistical support to the Choir.

The University of Ghana Jubilee Choir was mainly established to perform at official functions and ceremonies of the University. Members were recruited from among students of the University, with supervision by the Director of the Choir and team of assistants. Public Affairs continues to be the home of the Choir in providing administrative support, counsel and logistics.

The Choir had a membership of 90 at establishment. The first assignment for the newly established Choir was to perform at the Investiture Ceremony of His Excellency Kofi Annan as Chancellor of the University on August 11, 2008. Thereafter the Choir has been the main choir supporting Matriculation ceremonies, Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, Remembrance Day Service and Easter Concerts, among many others.

The first director of the Choir was Mr. Timothy Esiam Andoh. He was assisted by Dr. Ben Amakye-Boateng (Senior Lecturer, Music Department), Mr. Frank Fergusson Laing and Mr. John Annan. The Choir has achieved many exploits, among them the inaugural concert dubbed- ‘An Evening with Amu and Nketia’ held at the R. S. Amegashie Auditorium on 25th October, 2009, which recorded about 120 members in attendance. On 10th December 2010, the Choir performed a pre-Christmas concert, Vivaldi’s Gloria; Olivet to Calvary: A Sacred Cantata by J.H. Maunder at the Great Hall as part of the Easter festivities at the Great Hall.

The exploits of the Choir have not gone unnoticed. The Choir was awarded the best music group in the university during the 2017 SRC Excellence awards.

In 2018, during the 10th Anniversary, University of Ghana Jubilee Choir’s concert, ‘An Evening with Ken Kafui’ was nominated for the institutional concert of the year during the GH youth Choral awards.

For about a period of three to four years, the activities of the Choir slowed down, leading to the Chorale Ensemble of the Music Department providing support for University functions and other activities of the Choir until it was rejuvenated by Mr. Henry Frimpong, Music Director during the Presidency of Mr. Oliver Awuah in the 2015/16 academic year. Other Presidents have been Mr. Stephen Peprah (2016/17), Mr. Ernest Kissi Omari (2017/18), Mr. Derrick Asamoah (2018/19). Ms. Jennifer Welbeck is the current President for the 2019/20 academic year.

A number of alumni of the Jubilee Choir can be found amongst top choirs in Ghana, such as Harmonious Chorale, Vocal Essence, One Voice Choir, Symphonials, Gramophone Chorus and Chorale Africa. Currently, the membership of the Choir stands at seventy (70). The Choir’s official uniforms are University branded attires.

Indeed, it has been a decade of Unfailing Praise and we thank the Good Lord for how far He has brought the Choir.

 

 

 

 

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