“Rockin 4 Mo’town” at National Theatre in Accra

The 1962 Year Group of the Old Achimotan Association will on Saturday February 11, 2012, present the maiden edition of “Rockin 4 Mo’town” at the National Theatre in Accra.

An annual event, “Rocking 4 Mo’town” aims at celebrating the contribution to the development of contemporary music in Ghana by products of Achimota School, which is noted for its strong music traditions since the early 1950s.

“Rockin 4 Mo’town” will present on stage a number of Old Achimotans who have rocked and continue to sway the music scene in Ghana. Alongside their friends, they will showcase their artistic creations as their contribution to calls for the enhancement of music education in the country.

On the bill is Old Achimotan and hip-hop star Richie, accompanied by several friends, who will perform in support of activities earmarked for the restoration of Achimota Music School and the 50th Anniversary of the Old Achimotan 1962 Year Group.

Richie’s friends include MUSIGA President Obour, Okyeame Kwame, Pat Thomas, Eazzy and Efya. They are expected to set the National Theatre ablaze through a dramatic collaboration.

Burger highlife exponent Ben Brako, who taught at Achimota School, will be on stage with his compositions, which alongside those of other Burger Highlife musicians, which shook Ghana in the 1980s owing to its curious fusion of highlife with other rhythms.

Old Achimotan and grandfather of hip life — Reggie Rockstone is expected to make an appearance.

Performance tributes would be in honour of three late composers and musicians who were former students of Achimota School. Conducted by Diana Reindorf (Old Achimotan), Tema Youth Choir will pay homage to Dr. Ephraim Amu, while the Patch Band will honour highlife legend King Bruce. “Hallelujah Chorus” would be screened as a tribute to divine drummer Kofi Ghanaba.

Achimota School has more than lived up to the expectation of its founders by producing leaders in all fields. In music, the school has furnished Ghana with many of its notable and internationally acclaimed musicians in all genres.

Indeed, the establishment of Ghana’s National Orchestra and the School of Music at Winneba can be traced directly to the work of teachers and students of the Music School in Achimota.

Products of the Achimota Music School include Phillip Gbeho, composer of Ghana’s National Anthem and former conductor of Ghana’s National Orchestra; Saka Acquaye, a composer/sculptor; Emmanuel Gyimah Labi, a composer and former music professor at Essex County College (USA); Kofi Agawu, a Professor of Music at Princeton University (USA); Robert Mawuena Kwami, a composer and former Music Professor of the University of Pretoria (South Africa); and the acclaimed concert pianists William Chapman Nyaho (USA) and George Francois (USA).