Feb 8

Feb 8 Genius Hive, a Ghanaian Music Academy launches in Accra.

Traditionally, Ghanaian music has long been made up of traditional instruments ranging from the drums (Atumpan, Fontonfrom, Adowa, Kpanlogo) to stringed instruments ( Seperewa) metallic gongs (Nnawuta) etc. Much of our music has changed over time with much influence from other African countries and the Western culture. I remember a time when my dad bought me a pink toy piano which could magically play Christmas carols and Happy Birthday tunes depending on the button pushed and best of all i could learn how to play those same tunes and have the instrument play my 'attempt' back to me. I don't think I was born to be a pianist. Nice try Dad! :)

I grew up in a house where every morning I would wake up to the strings and strains of Mozart, Bethoven and Chopain and I must admit it grew on me. Classical music is such a unique mysterious genre which needs a special ear and heart to understand the passion beneath the notes.

In comes Genius Hive, a beautiful and unique not-for-profit Christian musical academy for children and the youth recently launched in Ridge Osu, located at the Old Place which is opposite the British High Commission, next door to GIJ.

Genius Hive is the vision of Julius Richardson to inspire the next generation to strive for excellence in all disciplines and future endeavours using music as the foundation to teach essential lessons for success.

The future of this innovative vision over the next 7 years is to focus on 'Building the Premier African Youth Orchestra' which is such a laudable vision to set. Its about time we had such an initiative on our continent amongst the established hiplife and highlife genres. According to Julius, presently there are 14 registered students who will be commencing studies from the 10th of February. In 2014, capacity is being built for 60 students at the Old Place residence.

The management of the Hive will also be focused on raising funds for a landmark, ultra-modern facility which will become the foundational model for the GeniusHive community practice centers across the country. We should all look forward to such centres no later than December 2015.

There will be 4 major concerts in each quarter. The first concert is scheduled for April 2014. Subsequent concerts are planned for July, September, and December. All the wonderful details will be made available on their website www.genius-hive.com, so keep a sharp lookout.

All of these activities will require significant funding and the visionaries intends to engage with all who share in their vision, mission, core values and beliefs.

The event was well attended by a genteel of personalities like Rev. Joyce Aryee who I could tell was awed by the magnificent performance by the group and she couldn't help but remark that 'the devil must be really grinding his teeth at such beautiful music and wishing he was still in his former heavenly position.'