By Ibrahim S. Bangura
The Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts at 27 Liverpool Street in Freetown, on Friday October 27, 2023, celebrated its 28th year in existence at its Logie Wright Auditorium, to honor its past founders and make merry of its achievements so far in the history of Creative Arts in Sierra Leone.
This year’s celebration took the form of a concert, which was graced by a team of 19 members from the Wells Cathedral School from the UK, who sang and played instruments including a bassoon and an electric double bass. Others who took part included Model Brass Band Drum Line, (one of the popular School Brass Bands in Freetown), Stephan Flore, a German Music Expert, who directed the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Band, the Groovy Colours Band, (a premier band at the academy), Ballanta African Ballet, Music and Music Entertainment etc.
The celebration attracted many participants, including music lovers and makers, among others. There were jazz, classical, and cultural musical performances. In the audience were staff from the Mercy Ship who found time to relax and enjoy music in the Logie Wright auditorium.
According to Lovelace Love-Harding, the Ag. Principal of the Academy, it has been a custom for the Academy to celebrate its foundation day in October since it was founded in October 1995. “Every institution needs to commemorate their founders’ day. So, during these celebrations, we show our unwavering appreciation to our lost members as well as offer prayers for them for establishing the academy which is a great sign of love for their country,” he said.
Lovelace added that the Academy over the years had not only promoted Sierra Leonean culture and heritage across the globe through creative arts, but has also nurtured talents who have become professional acts who have represented Sierra Leone on the national and international platforms. “The likes of Drizilik, a renowned local popular rapper, Rozzy, a renowned sensational singer, amongst others, were all nurtured at Ballanta Academy of Music.”
The Ag. Principal thanked everyone for making the anniversary celebration a successful one.
Reacting to the anniversary concert, Elizabeth Brumley, a music lover from the United States of America, said that she was very thrilled to attend the event, adding that she was not only entertained but was well educated by the different acts. “It was so amazing to see how we were gladly interacting with one another. Indeed, music brings people of different cultures together. It was such a wonderful moment for me to hear music from Jazz, classical and other genres. It was so beautiful. Ballanta is indeed not only the home of music education, but is also a home of entertainment. The Academy is such a help to the community giving inspiration to people to access music. I encourage government and other humanitarian organizations to pay great attention to Ballanta for it is a blessing to this country,” remarked Brumley.
According to Flore, he was honored to celebrate the Academy’s birthday with other acts from other parts of the world.
He said that Ballanta being the only centre of music education in Sierra Leone, should get strong government support together with other stakeholders to improve its standards, for that would create more development for Sierra Leone.
Flore added that he was very impressed by the academy’s new principal’s creative abilities. He emphasized, “Lovelace is such a creative man who is really doing great for the academy. I have not known him for a very long time, but from these few interactions I have had with him, I am impressed by his organizational, administration, etc. skills. I commend the board, the staff and the students of Ballanta for making the academy a great home of music education.”
Ballanta Academy of Music which was the first music school in Sierra Leone, has a vision to be a worldwide inspiration for the development and promotion of West African music and dance.
It is aiming at providing first class classical and modern music tuition for the people of Sierra Leone and beyond.
The Academy offers courses in voice, guitar, piano, dance, keyboard, seven drum, etc. It is also offering music classes towards the WASSCE as well as dance classes, and will soon introduce a course in theatre.