Welcome to the PASMAE/ISME Africa Regional Conference 2023

Monday 24 to Friday 28 July 2023

PASMAE, in collaboration with the Ghana Music Teachers’ Association (GMTA), cordially invites you to take part in the 13th Biennial PASMAE Regional Conference. PASMAE is the African arm affiliated with ISME and this conference is also the ISME Africa Regional Conference.  The conference will be in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and hybrid presentations.

THEME: EVOLVING MUSICAL ARTS SPACES, CULTURES, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Our theme reflects how musical arts and cultures transcend the temporalities of space and time in a post pandemic regime. During the pandemic, the importance of the musical arts as a core part of humanity became even more pronounced.  The use of music and other related art forms as a coping mechanism for individuals and groups reached unprecedented levels.  While acknowledging that many planned performances by different artistes and groups became impossible as a result of the pandemic, it holds true as well, that the same reason necessitated the emergence of new musical art forms, new groups and artistes, new compositions or creative works, and new performance contexts or spaces.  The limits of different approaches to teaching and learning the musical arts were also tested during the pandemic, and the adoption of new (technologically-enhanced) pedagogies became inevitable which also had implications on the content. This conference provides the critical platform to reflect on these realities, and to champion the discussion on the way forward for the musical arts in Africa in a post-pandemic regime in the light of increasing efforts to attain the sustainable development goals.  In effect, the conference theme provides a good platform to cogitate over the critical place of the evolving musical arts in the attainment of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda.

The “musical arts spaces” in the theme can refer (but in no way limited) to:

• Physical performance spaces
• virtual/technologically-inspired spaces
• creative spaces
• expressive spaces
• abstract spaces
• individual vs collective spaces
• curricular spaces etc.

Musical arts here, in line with what PASMAE represents, refer to all the core and related disciplines that collectively fall under the umbrella of the Performing and Creative Arts.

Presentations could focus on the following sub-themes:

• Musical arts spaces, cultures and sustainable development
• Instructional methodologies for musical arts education
• Teacher preparation for the musical arts
• Cultural policy and musical arts education
• Music business and entrepreneurship
• Arts management approaches and perspectives
• Research in African musical arts
• Community music and arts education
• Arts entrepreneurship education
• Health, wellbeing and spirituality in musical arts education

The focus of PASMAE 2023 is not limited to the above areas, Presentations from any field of education/discipline in line with the conference theme are welcome.

Welcome from PASMAE president

Dear music educators, musicians, and friends of PASMAE

It is our great pleasure to announce the hosting of the International PASMAE Regional Conference that will take place in Ghana. This is of special significance to us as it is the first time that a PASMAE conference will be hosted in Ghana.

After more than two years of COVID-19 restrictions which made online conferences a reality, it is exciting to look forward to an event where we can enjoy spontaneous interactions and communication by being physically present.

Our conference theme is Evolving musical arts spaces, cultures, and sustainable development in Africa, and we are planning a range of exciting opportunities and experiences for our conference attendees. As we share interests in music, arts, culture, heritage and education, this conference will allow opportunities for critical debates, stimulating workshops, and exciting performances. 

We are eager to explore new ideas with you and look forward to your participation in this exciting event where we can enjoy the natural beauty of the county and participate in its vibrant musical culture.

Warm regards and music blessings.

Dorette Vermeulen
PASMAE President 2021-2023

Welcome from conference chair

Akwaaba

Akwaaba, a word you must start getting used to as you prepare to attend the PASMAE 2023 biennial conference in Ghana.  It is a word that means ‘welcome’ in Akan (the most widely spoken local language in Ghana) and the language of the people of Cape Coast where the conference is taking place. 

The Ghana Music Teachers’ Association (GMTA), with the institutional support of the University of Cape Coast, University of Education (Winneba), the University of Ghana (Legon), and Ghana’s National Commission on Culture (NCC), is excited to host the PASMAE-ISME Regional Conference for the first time in Ghana. Being the first in-person PASMAE regional conference after the global pandemic, it promises to be a very special occasion for all the positive things that PASMAE conferences have been known for – a stimulating intellectual and cultural exchange, world-class performances and exhibitions and, above all, a renewal of our collective energies for championing the course of the musical arts in our respective countries. 

Over the period of the pandemic and afterwards, we have witnessed the decline of certain musical art forms/styles and the rising into prominence of others.  Alternative spaces and platforms for performances have emerged and some previously-used performance spaces have had to be reconsidered.  Different artistes, performing groups and ensembles have been affected in many diverse ways.  New modes of cultural expression and artistic production have become part of our diurnal reality.  All these, and more, have implications for what we do as academics, teachers, performers, researchers and practitioners.  Considering that many institutions across Africa are embarking on massive revisions of their curricular as part of efforts to decolonise the African academy and to make leap-strides towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of getting together to share ideas through this ISME-PASMAE regional conference cannot be overemphasised.

I have the pleasure, as conference chair, along with all the hardworking planning committee members, to welcome you all to Ghana and to the campus of a rare sea-front university.  The security in Ghana and the noted-hospitality of Ghanaians will jointly provide the much-needed atmosphere for a very productive conference.  Beyond the confines of the university, where the conference will be held, Cape Coast plays host to many tourists annually who visit the historical Cape Coast and (UNESCO world heritage site) Elmina castles, the Kakum National Park/canopy walkway, partake in emancipation and PANAFEST activities, observe the fascinating artisanal singing-fishermenand engage in the rich tapestry of cultural activities offered by numerous cultural groups. Please pay close attention to the deadlines and make your submissions in time.  Looking forward to meeting you all at the conference. 

Akwaaba.

Eric Ochere
​Chair of the Local Organising Committee. PASMAE 2023

CONFERENCE LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

1. Accommodation, Transport and Conference Room Committee

Dr Promise N. Nyatuame

Mr Joseph Ebo Mefful

Mrs Harriet Debrah Otchere

Prof Eva Ebeli

2. Catering Committee

Ms Rosemond Kutsidzo

Ms Amata Anning

3. IT Committee

Mr Albert Essuman Arthur

Mr Jehoshaphat Philip Sarbah

Mr Kofi Okyere Darko

Mr Clemence Ayikple

4. Brochures, T-Shirts, Souvenirs, and Tours Committee

Dr Reginald Abeku Myres Sackey

Dr Daniel Brako

Mr Michael Kunke

Mr Emmanuel Sylvester Gillette

5. Visas, Flight Arrangements, and Airport Pick-ups Committee

Dr. Senyo Adzei

Mr. John Kuubeterzie

Dr Eyram Fiagbedzi

6. Concerts, Programs & Venue

Mr Fio Richardson Commey

Mr Torwomenye Kofi Ansah (0244614064)

Mr Albert Twinto Yarkwah

Dr Wise Wunu (0242965696)

Mr Albert Dennis (0242837088)

Ms Wendy Mamiya

7. Sponsorship, Publicity and Finance Committee

Dr John-Doe Dordzro

Dr Francis Afenyo-Dzakey

Mrs Gifty Oduro-Appiah

Mr Maxwell Quainoo

8. Publications Committee

Prof Emmanuel Obed Acquah

Dr Moses Nii-Dortey

Dr Amos Darkwa Asare

Dr Senyo Adzei

9. Secretariat

Mr Felix Amoaning (0243434436)

Ms Amata Anning

Mrs Patience Mavis Borde-Koufie (0540853106)

10. General Coordinators

Dr. Madinatu Bello

Dr Eric Debrah Otchere