By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, July 23, GNA – It was an evening of immersive rhythms and cultural dialogue as the African Chamber Music Ensemble (ACME) held a special listening session at the National Theatre as part of their Ghana tour.
The nine-member group introduced audiences to some of their original compositions at the event dubbed “Roots & Resonance: Ghanaian Traditions in Global Conversation.”
For nearly two hours, the show merged Ghanaian vocal, percussion, and storytelling traditions alongside Zimbabwean mbira music and contemporary chamber music arrangements in a live and interactive setup.
AMC is led by Canadian percussionist, composer, and ethnomusicologist Dr. Curtis Andrews, Ghanaian scholar and performer, Dr. Kofi J. S. Gbolonyo, and Zimbabwean mbira musician Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa.
The rest are Canadian string musicians, Meredith Bates, Josh Zubot, and Peggy Lee, and Ghanaian violist Bright Edem Afenya of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ghana.
Members of the group said the show sought to highlight the depth and diversity of indigenous music while deepening partnership between institutions dedicated to artistic excellence, education, and cultural exchange.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency, Dr Andrews said AMC started in 2022 to promote the different aspects of traditional African music and compositions.
“Traditional African music is full of vitality, rhythm, and dancing but it is the kind of music that people don’t often get to hear or understand so the idea was to take this music and provide a different context for listening,” he noted.
Dr Andrews, a professional musician for the past 25-years, expressed satisfaction at the performances, and urged young people to explore a wide range of music genre, including indigenous African music.
“We have had a great time performing here [at the National Theatre] and we could tell that the audience understood and appreciated what we wanted to do,” he said, adding that the group plans to visit Zimbambweand South Africa next year.
Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo said the group would infuse other types of traditional African music and instruments, including “seperewa”, the xylophone, and chorale music in future performances.
“What we are trying to do is to bring two or more music traditions together and still maintain their unique identities…our hope is that this will expand not in terms of numbers but in terms of the traditional musical resources that are not widely mixed with western instruments,” he said.
Mr Henry Herbert Malm, commended ACME and partners for the initiative, adding that the Theatre was open to collaborations which promoted arts and culture.
The session, supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the British Columbia Arts Council, brought together cultural leaders, educators, students, and artists to celebrate heritage and creativity.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
23 July 2026
Picture attached