Project information

Vision

We are convinced that singing in a choir or playing in an orchestra is of priceless value for the personal development of young people. In poverty-affected areas and for children who are confronted with poverty, marginalisation or violence in the early stages of life, music can be the basis for a brighter future. We interact with children at eye level and help them create new opportunities for themselves. In the near future, it is our goal to teach children throughout their primary and secondary education, to encourage children while they are growing up and to benefit their development. In the long-term, we envision a youth orchestra built upon the principle of “students become teachers” that gives joy and support to children and young adults.

Music in Ghana

The interest for music in Ghana is big, also because of the numerous churches and their choirs. Drumming is part of daily life and dancing is common. The synthesis of European and Ghanaian music is very important to us as is promotes bridges between different cultures and encourages interculturality. In Ghana there are different opportunities to work as a professional musician: professional orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra or music schools such as geniusHive. For the children we teach, these may be meaningful employment opportunities.

Strategy

The organisation Musiker ohne Grenzen – Accra has the goal of promoting musical education and of founding children- and youth orchestras for the less-privileged children of Ghana. Young musicians volunteer in Accra, Ghanaian teachers are supported by the organisation and instruments as well as sheet music is collected in Germany and transported to Ghana. The organisation works together closely with Ghanaian schools, cultural centres and a music school. This network of cooperation promotes exchange and learning between different cultures.

The organisation strives to create a space for children from socially troubled areas of Accra where they can develop musically and personally. Through the long-term musical education the students learn many soft skills for life such as perseverance, team spirit and communication abilities. Children with difficult pasts are also welcome, as music can help heal emotional pain. For some students music will enable a future with a stable source of income.

A Short History Of the Organisation

In November 2007 the German conductor Markus Baisch flew to Accra for the first time to give a concert with the National Symphony Orchestra, the only state-run professional orchestra in West Africa. He was inspired by working with children from a school in Nima and the idea of a project began to form. Markus envisioned a project that would help the NSO with talent recruitment and at the same time provide children from socially troubled backgrounds with a musical education.

Volunteers have been working in the project constantly since 2013. Their responsibilities include music theory and instrumental instruction, conducting choirs and ensembles as well as organising concerts. Violin, viola, cello, oboe, clarinet, flute, bassoon, brass instruments, recorder and piano are currently being taught.

Concise Summary