CHURCH CHOIR

Formation Of The Choir

On Sunday, the 6th Day of October 1974 at the roundhouse (St. Martin de Porres Preparatory School), it dawned on Bro. (now The Rev’d) D. D. Nunoo) to initiate the formation of a choir to enhance the singing of the newly formed preaching post in Dansoman. An appeal for membership was then launched and the following brothers and sisters expressed the desire to join, thus becoming the founding fathers/mothers of the Choir.

Mr. & Mrs. R. J. Sam (both of blessed memory), late Bro. G.E. Dennis, Mr. & Mrs. J. K .J. Quansah, the late Bro. J. K. Quayson and his wife, Mrs. Quayson, Sis Lucy Essiam, Sis Agnes Dadzie, Sis Comfort Ashley, the late Sis Dinah Essoun, Sis. Comfort Quaye, Sis Josephine Adjei among others. It is worthy of note that choir practices began in earnest during the week and members performed the following Sunday.

Embryonic Stage

While the Choir was still young, numerous challenges came its way, such as lack of good organ, hymn books, song sheets, just to mention a few. At a point in time, a foldable harmonium (organ), popularly referred to as “coffin organ” had to be carried to and from B. A. Opoku’s area to St. Martin de Porres every Choir practice and church service hours. Again, hymns and songs were either dictated to members to write in their singing note books or were written on the chalkboard to facilitate teaching and learning. That notwithstanding, the choir under the leadership of the Late Bro. G.E.N. Dennis, with great support from Brothers K. Kyere and C. B. Acquah, was able to learn, difficult and lengthy classical anthems such as The Heavens are Telling, Achieved is thy Glorious Work both by Josef Haydn, “And I saw a new Heaven” by F. W. Peace, amongst others.

Inauguration

The Church Choir was nurtured for seven (7) good years before its inauguration. Before then, acquisition of choir robes had become an issue. In spite of that membership continued to increase every other practice day. On Sunday, 2nd August, 1981 the choir was eventually inaugurated by the late Very Rev’d P. K. Anderson, with an unprecedented membership of eighty (80) choristers. The Special Guest of Honour was Bro. Justice Kingsley Nyinah, the first National Chairman of GHAMECC.

Administration/Leadership

The Church Choir has enjoyed good leadership skills from the following brethren during its 39 years of existence: The Late Bro. G.E.N.Dennis, the first Choirmaster/Organist, reigned for 17 years. He was succeeded by late Bro. J. K. Quayson, who had by then served as the Secretary for 16 years. He served between 1992 –1999. In 1999-2004, Bro. J.K. Buckson took over as the third Choirmaster. In 2006 Dr. Joe Atta-Quartey was appointed music director, he died in 2006. In 2004, the late Bro. J. K. Quayson was re-elected as the fourth Choirmaster for the period 2004-2009. Currently, Bro. Kras Kofi Arthur, a former National Director of Music of GHAMECC, is the Choirmaster, playing utility with the other musical groups in the church as the Director of Music.

Achievements

  1. Won Inter-Circuit singing competition organized by GHAMECC, Accra Diocese in 2001 and 2003.
  2. Joint Choral Performance with National Symphony Orchestra/TV and Radio Programmes/Cantatas
  3. Featuring in Radio and TV Programmes
  4. Successfully organized and performed three Easter Cantatas –“Hallelujah! What a Saviour, Olivet to Calvary and Yaw Nyimpa Wonnhw1 Dzin Bi” from 2010 to 2013