Dear Music and art lovers, Opoku and I started our music and art school in Ghana last month.  It is in the Ashanti capital of Kibi at the community center.  It was a most thrilling and rewarding experience. Everyone we met soon shared our enthusiasm.  They were more than happy to help.  Opoku is in Ghana now puting together the radio station. Meanwhile,the community  center is to  be renevated  All the players  in  the Accra National Symphony Orchestra ***** (ignore all the information about the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra on the internet until further notice, it's bogus!! The site is locked from outside quasiempenny  sources who will not give up the change code, for whatever devious reasons  they have) were delighted to go  teach in Kibi(about a one hour trip each way). The conductor has  even given Opoku life time free piano lessons. We will be establishing ties between Kibi and my home town's University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music.

     And for you oboeists or bassoonists!  The oboeist in Accra had left years ago. But they had four oboes. 3 were broken and not adjustable. I tinkered with one for about 1 1/2 hrs and finally he played . I played a few tunes. And then , this young clarinetist , who had been watching most of the time, looked me in the eyes  and said , "just give me a finger chart".  So I gave him some extra reeds and some books a few words of instruction and a prayer. And it was answered, because our friend, DR. Enketia knows a man who can teach him.

    "This will be the first conservatory of it's kind in Ghana"said DR. Kwabena Enketia, from Legon University, and with a tear in his eye, "I've been thinking about that for a long time". He has volunteered to be our board chairman. Our art Chair is Genevieve Eileen Nassar, also from Legon. The brass instuctor Kofi Cheri  has taught music in Kibi all his adult life. His main instrument is the tuba.  We are also working with a school in Accra called Ladlink and  soon the Winneba Youth Choir.

        So , in the next year or so ,if you are in the area, drop by Kibi and if you teach music for four hours a day you can eat and sleep there as long as you want. You can also sit in with the Accra Orchestra. Maybe that concerto you always wanted to play? Quartet?  PLenty of beer,palm wine, peanuts pepper,roots, fruits, gold, goats, escargo, grass cutter,  fufu and lots of  handsome men and beautiful women.. The Ghanaians are a fun loving people.  Torrey.   For more check out GHAMA.ORG(site in progress). Also check out my home town's paper: RecordNet, and go to Michael Fitzgerald's colume of Sun Sept. 14 ,or see his blog. Happy browzing, Torrey

      Meanwhile, if you have any old music,instuments, books,(all subjects)art supplies, gold, silver , platinum and/or boxcite, that you don't need anymore, please send it over.  Most of these peole have nothing but the few things they need to survive, shelter, clothing, food and kitchen supplies . A few wealthy people have TV's ect, but, there isn't even a ping pong table and for sure no video arcades in this town of 10-15,000.