The Pan-African Youth Orchestra (PAYO) was established in 1995 as a youth wing of the Pan-African Orchestra (PAO) to explore the classical foundations of African music. The orchestra comprises young talented instrumentalists auditioned from various schools in Accra, Ghana. Members of PAYO represent at least one major ethnic group which to a large extent fosters national integration; one of our main objectives of putting Africa under one umbrella through our music.
The instruments of the orchestra are selected from diverse indigenous musical cultures of the African continent. They comprise Atenteben Flutes (seven holed vertical bamboo flutes), Gyle Xylophones (Anhemitonic Pentatonic Xylophones), Gonje , Kora (21-string Harp Lute), Atsimevu and its supporting drums, Fontomfrom and its supporting drums, Gome Bass Drum, Prempensua Thumb Piano, Assorted Master Drums and Light Percussion Instruments; including Soprano and Baritone voices.
For the past few years, the orchestra has had to discontinue its activities owing to lack of funding. To remedy the situation, Mr. Kwaku Kwakye, Director of the Pan-African Youth Orchestra, has since August, 2013 initiated various practical programs to resuscitate and rebrand PAYO. The revived / rebranded PAYO was officially launched in December, 2014 at the British Council Auditorium, Accra. PAYO aims to actualize the prime objectives of the orchestra.
Our vision is to:
- develop a new style of symphonic music from the wealth of musical raw material bequeathed to us via tradition.
- develop a conservatory program in the area of African music composition and performance.
- standardize, mass-produce and quality control African musical instruments.
The orchestra’s repertoire includes compositions by the renowned composer and music educator, Nana Danso Abiam, whose works are a clear illustration of qualitative developments taking place within the past forty years in African music composition history. His conception and realization of the Pan-African Orchestra in 1988, combining for the first time, traditional instruments from differing ethnic societies on the continent, is still a novelty far ahead of its time. This historic achievement is documented in prestigious reference books such as the Garland Encyclopedia of World Music (Vol. 3 Africa), and the Cambridge History of 20th Century Music, just to mention a few, as well as Kweku Kwakye, Director/Conductor, Pan-African Youth Orchestra, and other renowned African composers like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Dr. Ephraim Amu, father of Ghanaian Art Music and Prof. Emeritus J. H. Kwabena Nketia, a leading exponent in African ethnomusicology and composition.
PAYO has performed in various local and international festivals/concerts such as Kiddafest (Accra, Ghana), Panafest (Cape Coast, Ghana), Emancipation Day Celebration (Accra, Ghana), Miss Ghana (Accra, Ghana), AFRIMA (Accra, Ghana), MASA (Abidjan, Ivory Coast), FELABRATION (Lagos, Nigeria), Mo Ibrahim Annual Governance Weekend (Accra, Ghana), 4th World Summit of Mayors (Accra, Ghana) major state functions in Ghana, and also collaborated with the Peace Train Band (South Africa), the Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (South Africa), National Symphony Orchestra (Accra, Ghana), Accra Symphony Orchestra (Accra, Ghana), Max Pollak (New York, USA), Music educators; Mark & Carol Palms (Michigan, USA), Maestro Nir Brand (Tel Aviv, Israel) and the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra (California, USA). Consistent with its aim to develop diverse educational programs in the practice of neo-traditional African music, PAYO in consultation with leading authorities in African music performance has developed comprehensive teaching manuals for beginners, intermediates and advanced students. Our research findings/materials are compiled as learning materials in a form of text books and manuals on diverse topics including African music theory and practice, instrument playing and orchestration.
PAYO’s current work involves concerts, workshops and lecture performances for schools and communities in Ghana and beyond. We organize concerts of classical African music, ranging from solo recitals to large scale works. We bring information and direct assistance to artistes and organizations in Ghana and beyond. Our instructors are accomplished master musicians and performers ready to make their services and facilities accessible to all.