Instrumental Performance of Female Students at Atwima Nwabiagya District

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Instrumental Performance of Female Students at Atwima Nwabiagya District

Peter Opoku Ware (Rev. Father)¹, Dr. Peter Obeng²
¹Akropong D/A Junior High School, Ghana Education Service, Ghana
²Department of Creative Arts, Offinso College of Education, Ghana

Abstract: This study sought to explore the level of instrumental skills and setbacks female student’s in Atwima Nwabiagya experience in playing drums and other musical instruments. The study adopted a case study methodology and a purposive sampling technique was employed to select three Junior High Schools in the district. In each of the schools, five participants from each school were selected for the study also purposively. The research was based on data collected from 15 female students. The main instruments used for the study were observation and interview. The study revealed the following findings: teachers normally exempt females from drumming, but instead encourage them to dance because of their flexibility in nature, gender stereotyping of certain cultures affects their choices of certain musical instruments. Parent’s preventing girls from handling musical instruments due to their religious beliefs and other customs in their communities. The results indicated how important it is for teachers to develop the will (i.e. self-efficacy) and the skill(i.e. competence) to teach music and dance if they are to develop music competencies needed to provide adequate music opportunities for their future students (Males and Females). Teachers are encouraged not to exempt females from drumming. As a way forward, I suggest that women should form cultural groups/troupes where they take full responsibility from the playing of the master drum adowa dance up to the singing to encourage others to follow suit like the women Mmɛnson cultural troupe at Cape Coast.
Key words: instrumental, Performance, Stereotype, Gender, Traditional

Category: Music Business

I. INTRODUCTION

The need for a holistic and quality training in music at the various levels of our educational structure has become more profound in recent times. This training, it must be emphasized should benefit every child regardless of his/her gender. It has been observed that new challenges influencing current thinking on music education suggests that modern educational principles use more active participation and more effective experiences. It is common knowledge that music is deeply integrated into our cultural heritage. Nothing is done in our life without a zest, or a flavour or an appetite for music: The people of Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region are musically very vocal, which is both highly appealing and momentous. However, formal or official occasions such as speech and prize giving days, cultural festivals and durbars, be it the national, regional or district, or town programmes organized by a school or even the community cannot be done without employing musical instruments for their music. Music is a component of culture which serves as a powerful tool in our cultural growth. Everything about music is learnt or studied. Hence, students from generation to generation need to be educated well in it to ensure its sustainability in our society.

Read More