Military Band Music Composers in Ghana: Frank Hukporti and John Doe Afornorpe in Perspective

Abstract

This research examines the creative ideologies of Frank Hukporti and John Doe Afornorpe in the context of military band music-making. It also surveys the traditional military band music format, the evolution of military band in Ghana, and life events of the two exponents. The process of their creativity was critically scrutinized using two theoretical frameworks that seem to be appropriate to the study. These frameworks examined the contributions of some selected elements of music and their functions in the analytical process. Even though the research focuses on analytical issues, it also brought to light the contributions of the two exponents to military band music in Ghana through their initiatives, compositions, arrangements, and their advocacy for the use of indigenous traditional folk tunes for military bands to perform in Ghana. Arguably, these initiatives and arrangements for instance, have placed their respective bands at the lead among the various military bands in Ghana. The study also reveals that the environment or community in which a composer lives can easily influence his style of compositions and arrangements, which is directly associated with the two exponents. Their arrangements speak well about their influences and what interests them the most as composers. Analytical methods were applied to achieve the results from the data collected on this study. The methods used in data acquisition include; interview, reviewing literature of published and unpublished books on issues pertaining to military band music, observation and some other sources from the internet. The study concludes by recommending that further studies should be conducted into military band music composers and arrangers in Ghana.