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Ballanta Academy; Are They Contributing To Growth of Sierra Leone Music

In a country that is rapidly transforming itself in music, it is interesting to note that in such a burgeoning moment which has seen the rapid rise in Sierra Leone music, the country can boast of only one outstanding music school - the Ballanta music academy. A school that has undoubtedly brought an internationally high standardized level of the art of music to Sierra Leone.

The school has definitely taken the lead in conveying home classical intellectual music doctrine in Sierra Leone. But the question is; has it brought the necessary change and scholarly knowhow to propel the vibrant but usually amateur Sierra Leone music scene?

The institution has not only delivered entertainment value in terms of music and the art of dancing, but it is also promoting and educating people on performance of group concert for international level.

The academy which was set up to foster the growth of musical knowledge offers classes on various subjects in music, such as voice performance and techniques, guitar, trumpet, piano xylophone handling, choreography and stage performance.

Interestingly, the institution has not only been a source of learning for many who seek supplementary knowledge in music and dancing, the Ballanta Academy has crucially become a port of call for most leading cooperate business organizations who usually contact the academy for unique performances in their company events or when they wish to promote music.

During the inauguration ceremony of President Ernest Bai Koroma, Ballanta Academy made a stunning live musical performance at the national stadium.

Moreover, members of the Ballanta music group have been making tours in some African countries and countries as far as Malaysia to do some live music gig.

However, despite this the institution has come under criticism in the past and now for portraying too little African or Sierra Leonean style.  According to Ballanta's Joseryl Beckley, who has a Masters in Music in the US, the Academy reflects both African and Western culture, but the overwhelming aspect of it curriculum, performance and teaching patterns are based on Western style. Beckley told Sierra Eye Magazine that the academy is not only limiting its scope on western style of music but can deal with some aspect of African music.

“The instruments we are teaching to students are western instrument, but at the same time we encourage singers to sing in their native language. Also we have plans to incorporate African instrument in our syllabus. Very recently we dispatched two of our staff to research on African music styles and values up the provinces.

“As a part of that enterprise we also collaborated with a music scholar, professor Amadi to research on local songs and drumming. He went to the provinces to meet with famous local musicians in different parts of the country orientating them about Ballanta's approach. Furthermore there are some local gospel artists coming for voice audition and instrument training,” she said.

Some observers have also been quick to come to the defense of the academy, notable dramatist; Dr. Julius Spencer expressed content over the performance of the academy in Sierra Leone. He said Ballanta is a useful institution that provides training that is really not easily available in this part of the world. He noted that there are so much that our local musical artists can learn from the academy.

He cited an instance when some local musician whom he described as 'singers' turned down a free offer given to them by Celtel two years ago to go for some training at Ballanta.

“Besides that opportunity, if our musicians are determined enough they can go to Ballanta to enrich their talent,” said Dr. Spencer.

Raymond De Souza George, lecturer in the Department of African studies, FBC said Ballanta

has been doing good work over the years in enhancing music in Sierra Leone. The dramatist and poet said the institution gives the opportunity to various forms of arts even the musician not just to learn the trade but to be expert and proficient in their discipline that they love and survive by.

He said musician always think they know everything, “As long as they have those ideas and notion to frown at other people's ideas, they would hardly meet their goals. If our local stars want to polish their skills, Ballanta is one area they should consult,” he said.

In the cultural aspect, Raymond Souza George said Ballanta is trying to reflect both African and Western style in their music performances.

“But for me I am not too particular about Africanness because of being an African. If Ballanta thinks they are second rated in presenting African culture in their performance, then it is a sweet-sour matter. If they think western culture can improve their performance than let them go ahead,” he said.

Paul Parkinson, gospel musician and music producer does not believe so; he expressed disappointment over Ballanta music approach in the training they offer to their students. “Ballanta can train people to sing but the institution cannot offer people the different kind of music they should sing. In training somebody how to sing you should first know what kind of music the person can sing better.

Winner of the Rock Your world Make Me a Star Competition early this year, Danny Strasser-Williams who bagged Le 20 million for emerging as the judge's favorite said that he owes his pristine musical skills to Ballanta. “I learnt a lot whilst I was there before the Star Search competition, a musician can surely polish himself at Ballanta with the variety of courses on offer. But the downside of the academy is that they are not that equipped to handle what we usually refer to in Sierra Leone as Baimbaeskay (popular mix melody containing various rhythms and voice styles). They have a much more classical tutorial approach that would hardly suit the style of the generally limited local musician,” said Danny who is working on his first solo album since winning the prestigious award.

However, Danny observed that local musicians have a lot to learn at Ballanta.Nana Menta of 'Romeo and Juliet' said she has heard about the 'good things' the academy offers to people and has decided to join  them.

However, she observed that in order to be more accessible the academy should tend to streamline it programmes to the need of the local musician by creating a new focus on current musical trends in the country. She also called on the academy to lower its charges for training sessions.

Famed female musician, Lady Laurish who was one of the local musicians who turned down the offer given to her by Celtel two years ago to join Ballanta;  told Sierra Eye she regretted it for not honoring the offer. She said she denied the offer because it coincided with her trip to Abidjan by then, but the artist has resolved her mind to join the academy soon.

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