The Contributions of George Worlasi Kwasi Dor to the Musical Tradition of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana

Abstract

This study examines the contributions and influence of George Worlasi Kwasi Dor to the musical traditions of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana in the style of prominent composers such as Ephraim Amu, N.Z. Nayo and R.N Ndor within the rubrics of Interculturalism in music theorized by Akin Euba (Dor, 2013). For more than a century and a half, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana has continuously followed the Bremen model for the celebration of the Eucharist. This practice continued until the inclusion of some compositions of George Worlasi Kwasi Dor into the Eucharist format. Over the years, G.W.K. Dor has since remained the only Ghanaian composer in the E. P. Church, Ghana whose compositions have had a significant impact on the format for celebrating the Eucharist. G. W. K. Dor’s compositions continue to feature prominently at the West Volta Presbytery Church Choirs’ Union (WVPCU) conferences as compared to other composers. Apart from satisfying the liturgical, theological and the linguistic needs of churches such as E. P. Church, Ghana, the A. M. E Zion, Methodist Church Ghana and Roman Catholic Church Ghana, other governmental agencies have also benefited from G. W. K. Dor’s compositions. Methods of collecting data included primary and secondary sources. Primary data was gathered during an interview section with G. W. K. Dor, selected Rev. Ministers of the E. P. Church, Ghana, the paramount chief of Peki traditional area, choir directors and instrumentalists etc. Secondary sources included library search, internet and analysis of media content. Analysis of formal and LaRue’s Quadrant Framework for Style Analysis were some of the analytical tools that were used to examine the building blocks of the compositions. The compositions are made up of indigenous and Western musical idioms, recurring themes and coherent melodic structures. The research clarifies the fact that G. W. K. Dor is the first choir director to have started the concept of Praise Band in the E. P. Church, Ghana. This thesis argues that the contributions made by George Worlasi Kwasi Dor to the musical tradition of the E. P. Church, Ghana were achieved through intercultural musical practices and that they are significant musical additions to the church repertoire.