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MELISSA FUCHS
Special to The Leader
Wednesday night brought a taste of Ghana to Rosch Recital Hall on the Fredonia campus as students, community members and faculty were treated to the sights and sounds of the Saakumu Dance Troupe.
While Saakumu is Ghanaian for tradition, the performance blended the oral tradition as audience members learned more about the group and its leader Bernard Woma. Woma is revered in many circles as a virtuoso of the Ghanaian instrument: the “gyil” xylophone. Locally, Woma is known for being a former School of Music instructor and Fredonia alumnus.
Wednesday’s performance was expected to be a welcome return for Woma until a bout with pneumonia prevented the anticipated return, but that didn’t stop the nearly-packed audience from taking in the performance.
“It was awesome — it’s always great. This is the third time that they’ve come since I’ve been here,” said Brittany Sanford, a senior music education student at Fredonia. Sanford is also a former president of Percussion Guild, the campus organization that sponsored Wednesday’s performance.
Sanford said the organization does well in playing a role in raising consciousness of culture and music.
“People have a lack of awareness of what’s around them and what’s around in the world and Percussion Guild is a really good kind of gateway to that,” she said.
The current vice president of Percussion Guild, Chelsi Lue, also touched on what may seem to be a passion Fredonia has for cultural awareness.
“World music is such an important part of our music program and to the Percussion Guild. With how competitive the music world is today, it gives us the opportunity to have another advantage of experiencing other cultures and their music,” Lue said.
This is especially the case with the group’s advisor, Dr. Karolyn Stonefelt. While attending Indiana University for her doctorate studies, she experienced Ghanaian musical traditions in Ghana. Stonefelt later assisted in the 2008 founding of the Saakumu Dance Troupe. She also serves as a professor in the School of Music and the Percussion Chair.
“Since Dr. S has always been such a strong advocate for diversity in music, whenever Saakumu is touring Dr. S always invites them back and they gladly accept,” Lue said.
The performance also touched upon the impact technology has played on the preservation of Ghanaian musical traditions. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the group banding together to tour. Since then, they have been able to showcase the Ghanaian musical and dance fusion all around the world.
With the divisive political climate as of late, Wednesday’s performance from the Saakumu Dance Troupe calls into question the power and ability that music has to unite.
“This group comes from a country that is always growing and changing — when they perform they don’t see a difference in the audience or among themselves, they see a community,” said Lue
Paul Boyer, Fredonia alumnus, who attended Fredonia for his masters of music in performance, commented on the cultural learning opportunities on the Fredonia campus from performances like this one.
“Once you get to know about each other, the more we can live together in harmony and peace, and I think that’s really important, definitely in today’s age,” he said.
Boyer also served as co-president of Percussion Guild last semester and helped with the decision to bring the Saakumu Dance Tribe to Fredonia.
With Activities Night swiftly approaching this upcoming Wednesday, Jan. 31, Lue said the group is in the process of determining whether they can perform again.
“If not, our table encourages non-majors and anyone from all walks of life to join us on Wednesday nights. Just listen out for some drumming and you’ll be able to find the table guaranteed,” she said.
If you’re hesitant to join because you may not have experience, Boyer said to not to be afraid to jump in.
“So many people have started with no experience and that’s okay. Everybody’s here to help and help you to learn … It’s a great time. You meet a lot of people and you really meet people you’d never believe you would,” he said.