Tema Youth Choir Is 5

Five Years into its formation, Tema Youth Choir has matured into one of the most powerful mass choral groups whose presence is really felt where ever they perform, no matter the number and quality of other groups which perform too.

Founded in November 2001, the group which was put together to fill the void created by the collapse of the Tema Presbyterian Secondary School choir today can boast being amongst the elite musical groups.

The director and founder of the choir, Ebenezer Allotey said he started the choir when he was teaching music at the Presbyterian Secondary School in Tema as a music teacher. He said ?music faded in secondary school so I was forced to teach social studies?.

After shifting to teaching social studies ?the school choir almost stopped functioning and as a professional musician I decided to form the Tema Youth choir?.

In order for the choir to become one of the top choir groups in Ghana, he stopped teaching in order to give the group full attention.

So far ?we have performed classical concert at British Council in Accra, Easter concert at Osu Ebenezer Presby Church Hall in Accra, Nine Lessons and Carols at the Christ the King Parish Hall?.

He said the group draws it members from the students of Tema Presby Secondary School who also bring friends from other schools as well as any youth around who show interest in joining the group.

Mr. Allotey said the rational behind the formation of the choir ?was to develop the musical talents and skills of the youth and promote choral music in Ghana?.

I also want the group to be recognised outside Ghana as well. He said the group has helped members in paying their fees.

As part of the activities to celebrate their fifth anniversary, the group has undertaken a blood donation and clean up excise at the Tema General Hospital and have other programmes lined to be undertaken.