Pre-burial service of musicologist Kenn Kafui held in Medina

Entertainment on Sunday, September 13, 2020

Source: GNA

2020-09-13

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The late musicologist and music icon Kenneth Kwaku Avotri Kafui has been praised for his care, concern and charity for humanity, at a pre-burial service at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EP) of Madina in Accra.

The funeral then continued to Hohoe, his hometown, where he would be buried.

There were elegies and tributes from family, wife and children, former classmates at Kpando High School, classmates at university, and other music associates.

Music of various genres, with various musical instruments and voice accompaniments, sounded in the chapel where the late professor, who taught music at the Achimota School, rested.

He was a music tutor at the Achimota School since 1978 and headed its Music Department for over two decades before assuming a new position as a professor in the Department of Music at the University of Ghana, Legon.

The body of the late composer, placed in a white painted coffin, with an effigy of a keyboard embossed on the coffin as a symbol of the man who composed the famous “Mida Akpe na Mawu,” Dzidzorm “,” Jesus my Protector “,” Kale “,” Asomdwee “and” Help Me O Lord “.

Kenn also wrote many instrumental works for piano and orchestra such as “Akpi Sonata”, “Pentanata” and “Dom ko Mayi”.

“As head of the Music Department, Kenn oragnó and directed several musical events such as the annual Nine Lessons and Carol Festival, the Founders Day Service of Speech and Awards Days, the Thanksgiving and memorial services. of Old Achimotans and classical concerts, ”said the Achimota School. in a tribute.

However, he noted that “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1985 was a challenging piece that he re-performed on the occasion of the school’s 90th anniversary in 2017.

He was also once a guest composer for the national broadcaster Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, and director of the Abibigroma Theater Company at the University of Ghana.

In an exhortation, Reverend Dzandu Hedidor, Moderator of the Meridian Presbytery of the EP Church, exhorted humanity to use the talents that are fully endowed for the benefit of their fellow men and for the glory of God.

The homily, based on the Book of II Timothy 4: 6-8, says: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

“Now he has reserved for me the crown of justice, which the Lord, the just Judge, will grant me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for his coming.”

Reverend Hedidor praised the late Kenn Kafui for identifying his gift of music and positively affecting the lives of others, for which he was able to say: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’

The clergyman stressed that there was a reward from God for people who used their gifts properly, in gratitude for what He had done for them.

“He did well in music and has excelled. So Kafui will always do something in gratitude to God, or make a request to God in his music … He would act so that people see how God manifests how God has gifted them, ”said the Reverend Minister.

Reverend Stinker pleaded with the audience to continue to use resources, gifts, and talents to the best of their ability to manifest the glory of God.

After the Police Band played Handel’s “Saul Dead March,” the pallbearers carried the casket outside, in a hearse or minibus to travel the Hohoe and continue the funeral.

They were followed by a procession of mourners, some of whom echoed the positive impact the late Kenn Kafui had on them.

The late Ken Kafui was born on July 25, 1951; and died on Wednesday March 18, 2020 in Accra.

Kenn Kafui was considered one of the leading composers of his generation in Ghana, in African art music, having composed choral works for choir and orchestra, symphonic works, works for piano and organ, and works for traditional African instruments.

He created new concepts and genres in African artistic music such as the Pentanata, the HD-3 form and the Drumnata.

Most of Kafui’s compositions are orchestral or choral works or pieces for solo piano.

He also composed for the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation orchestra in the late 1970s, choir director of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Madina, Hohoe Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and also played the organ for Trinity College, Legon.