This afternoon, Paschal Yao Younge is putting down the drums and picking up a pen.
In light of his new book Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana History, Performance and Teachingand DVD, Dance-Drumming Ceremonies of Ghana official release, Younge will be signing and selling the novel today at noon.
“I wanted to respectfully document the concept of music and capture the whole event. You can’t just focus on one thing you have to see everything,” Professor Younge said.
Younge researched for 15 years and spent three years writing the book.
“I just felt like crying,” Younge said in regards to the release of the book.
“Music is more than what you see or hear. It’s a phenomenon of culture. To Africans it is everything.”
Younge is currently an associate professor for multicultural music education, the director of the annual International Summer Program in African Interdisciplinary Arts and is the co-artistic director of the African ensemble at Ohio University. He has also directed the International Summer Program in African Culture Through the Arts program in Ghana for more than 15 years.
“It is definitely important for Ohio University to have faculty like Paschalto expose the world of music and culture,” Gerard Akindes, instructor for sports administration, said.
His most current publication focuses on 22 different types of music and highlights historical, geographical, cultural and social background of Ghana.
“It is a great contribution to the field,” Akindes said. “Anything about the culture of Africa is an important contribution to the music and culture world that most people don’t know about.”
Younge plans to continue his writing career and is currently arranging events for this coming November that combine Chinese and African dancing.
“Each culture has their own concepts and ways to approach things including the different meaning of each movement, ceremony or worship,” Younge said.
His wife is also a source of support throughout his studies.
“I will just let him speak for himself,” Zelma Badu-Younge, Ohio University professor and instructor for dance, said.
“There really is nothing in the world like it. It’s for everyone and anyone who wants to know more about music and culture of Africa,” Younge said.
Younge will be selling and signing his book and DVD during the release. The book will also be sold at Little Professor Book Center and online for $55.
The event will be held at the Multicultural Center in Baker University Center in room 205 and will last until 1:30 p.m.
What: Book Release: Music and Dance Traditions of Ghana History, Performance and Teaching
When: Today noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Multicultural Center
Admission: Free
lf328610@ohiou.edu
