Year 8 Performing Arts Incursion: A Journey into Kpanlogo

On Tuesday, August 27th, our Year 8 students had the fantastic opportunity to participate in an interactive Performing Arts incursion. The day was filled with the vibrant sounds and movements of Kpanlogo, a traditional Ghanaian music and dance form that emerged in the late 1950’s. The workshops were led by talented visiting artists, Appiah and Odai, who brought their extensive knowledge and passion for this West African art form to our school. Throughout the day, students took part in 50-minute workshops and the atmosphere in the room was electric as students followed Appiah’s dance moves as well as improvising their own. 

Appiah shares his thoughts on Kpanlogo below:

“Kpanlogo is recreational piece that emerged in the late 1950s around the time that Ghana gained independence. Although it was created primarily by young people as a form of entertainment, it contains Musical motifs borrowed from older Ga Pieces like Gome kolomashie and highlife music. Kpanlogo tells a story of communities’ ways of living for example finishing and farming activities. The dance movement and the songs will base on these two activities.”

Appiah and Odai guided the students through the origins and significance of Kpanlogo, explaining how it has been used for storytelling and community building in Ghana. The workshops were not just about learning the rhythms and movements; they also emphasised the importance of collaboration and communication. Students worked together to create a cohesive performance, building confidence and fostering a deeper appreciation for diverse musical traditions. The incursion was a wonderful way to connect with global traditions and highlight the importance of community music as well being a lot of fun! 

A big thank you to Appiah and Odai for their inspiring and educational workshops! Thank you to Kate O’Callaghan, Geoff Campbell, Lachlan Ridge, Matt Roche, Samara Fletcher, Zachary Halliday-Bayly, Ashleigh Robertson for your organisation/support of the event.

Matt Roche – Teacher of Music