Stephan Flore, a German music director, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 trained local musicians in classical music at the Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts at the Liverpool Street in Freetown.
The training which is aimed at enlightening the musicians in classical music and how to professionally play musical instruments (the brass, including trumpets, trombone, etc. and the wind instruments), attracted a cross-section of members of the Republic Of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) Band, Ballanta Orchestra and students from secondary school bands.
He said that learning classical music usually helps musicians in many areas, including the mind, thinking, listening skills, social aspects of life etc. “Classical music has a very distinct character,” he said.
Flore said that there is the need to have professional wind instrument teachers in Sierra Leone, according to his observation.
“I decided to train the musicians in classical, mostly in brass and the wind instruments because I did not see any professional teachers in those categories,” he said.
Flore said that Ballanta being the only music school in Sierra Leone has been a blessing for the country. “Ballanta is an institution that needs to be developed more than it is now. I wish more people nationally and internationally could join to be part of the academy,” he said.
Flore is a professional musician in French horn, Saxophone, Drum kit, Bass Guitar, Piano etc. and a conductor for harmony band in Germany.
From 1976 to 1978 Flore started playing music in Germany and was a community music teacher.
He explained that his initial visit to Sierra Leone was made possible because of an invitation by Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen, the co-founder of Ballanta Academy of Music and Performing Arts.
He stated, “My sister, Dr. Kitty Fadlu-Deen is passionate about music and Sierra Leone. She asked me to come and render my service to the country. I just had to honor her call.”
Flore described Sierra Leone as his second motherland, saying that in 2012, they were able to adopt a Sierra Leonean daughter. “So, I have a Sierra Leonean daughter; Sierra Leone is my second motherland now,” he said.
According to him, Sierra Leone had a unique culture and talented people.
He said he was so much impressed to see Sierra Leonean Dance Troupes in their cultural attire dancing for more than forty-five minutes without a break. “I could still remember when I first visited Sierra Leone. That was my first time to see the beauty of African music.
“Everything I saw on that day was new for me. I encouraged musicians to put more effort into their crafts,” he concluded.
Musicians appreciated Flore for taking time during his busy schedule to come Sierra Leone to empower musicians.
“We all appreciate you Stephan Flore,” they concluded.
By Ibrahim S. Bangura