Christmas Carols Concert 2010 in Akim Swedru

  Christmas Carols Concert was held on 14^th Dec 2010 in Akim Swedru, Eastern Region, Ghana. My Japanese volunteering colleague in youth activity, Afia Ayu (go to Akim Swedru! all obruni are called 'Afia' or 'Ayoo' because of her!) have commuted schools and taught music and creative arts. On that day, we played Christmas songs medley. Ghanaian teachers organized the program, and children in Methodist KG, PD and JSS performed Christmas songs. We were completely guest performers.

   Last year, we performed in Presby School in the afternoon and Methodist Church in the evening. Presby's was successful, but failed in church's because furnished keyboard was out of work. We fell into chaos and the performance was really misery. (was one of the biggest tragedy in my music life!!!)

   This year, we only played in Methodist in the afternoon. Attendees were all school kids and it was not like the atmosphere of church service at night. We never used that keyboard again, and finally finaly done well papapa!!!!! (yayadie! nyame sirawo wai!) During and after the performance, we could not speak a word because our playing sounded by full of chorus of children from upstairs to downstairs. When we looked up the ceiling, there were innumerable smiles of children like stars. We were embraced by harmony of angel’s voice. I played keyboard, Ayu played saxophone, Tomo-chan who is Ayu’s friend from Japan played percussion, and another volunteer Korkor (local name!) played keyboard harmonica (pianica). 

   We did not rehearsal so much but our combination of especially keyboard and saxophone fitted perfectly. We have played this medley again and again for children in Ghana since last year 2009. Sometimes it was in a classroom, sometimes it was a field ground of school, orphanage, hospital, church… they were all for children. We have gone round rural towns in Ghana, to play music for children, to meet more smiles of children in Ghana.

   I have not known how exciting to harmonize with other instrument and how pleased to play for others until I came Ghana. My music experience in Ghana took me completely to a whole new world. This moment in the church of Akim Swedru, really touched me, with a perfect harmony of children’s chorus.