The African Youth Choir Interacting with the Hamilton Children’s Choir (Canada) at the WSCM10, Seoul, south Korea (July 2014)
activities targeting children. • In Gabon, several children’s choirs have been created in order to initiate the very youngest children into choral music: For example, the “AnyoyÏ“ children’s choir, “Sunday School of Akébé“, the «Girls Choir Baghetu“… The African Youth Choir has sparked the creation of youth choirs in several countries where it is active. Former AYC singers have created an association, the “AICAJ”, which is a member of the ACMC and whose mission is to continue working alongside the AYC and provide support to young African choir members.
his team in Togo, prove that opportunities are vast and interesting. Unfortunately the musical patrimony of its regions is poorly known because so few musicologists have taken a serious interest in it.
B. Research, transcription, composition, dissemination We deplore the lack of resources concerning African musical scores. The ACMC would rapidly like to become involved in research -- in gathering, transcribing and classifying works belonging to the African heritage – as well as in providing training in composition and in harmonization, so that we end up with a true resource trove of authentic and original works. The recent intervention in Kaili of ethnomusicologist Sylvie Le Bomin, who specializes in the musical heritage of Central Africa (Gabon and the Central African Republic), and the work begun by Sylvain Gameti and
Translated by Anita Shaperd, USA
CONCLUSION
This brief overview of the situation and the work incumbent upon the ACMC, although not complete, reveals a vast space for action and the limited technical, logistical, financial and human resources available, But it also reveals great hopes, enormous authentic resource potential, and true vitality.
A computer engineer by training, YVELINE DAMAS, (IFCM Board Member and Choir Director of the Le Chant sur la Lowé vocal group), was born into a family of musicians. For nearly 30 years, she has devoted herself to promoting and thriving/ flowering / flourish/ blossoming of choral music in Gabon and throughout Africa. Email : yvelinedamas@yahoo.fr
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