Choir from Africa performing on stage © Phil Didion

Choral music in Benin

Felix Nassi about the choral situation of his home country

International Choral Scene

Choral music for a long time was only connected to the Christian churches in Benin, but nowadays more and more it has become a popular art from, not least through TV and radio, especially for their programming in the week-ends and during special occasions as funerals and the inauguration of high officials.

This has a positive influence on all generations, especially the youth. They find the practice of choral singing easy to access. Thus there are a numerous amount of choirs and vocal groups in Benin.

The primarily four kinds of choral music:

  1. Music connected to the Catholic Church
  2. Music connected to the Protestant – Methodist or Evangelical Churches 
  3. Music connected to the Celestial Church of Christ of Benin (as unique church for Benin) 
  4. Secular choral music

What they have in common is the evident use of the many native languages in Benin, the use of ancient rhythmic patterns, a big range of African percussion instruments and – sometimes – choreographic/dance elements.

The Celestial Church of Christ differs from the other through the use of brass bands together percussion with unison singing mixed with part singing in the liturgy of this particular church.

The music education in the country is more and more developed. There are eight institutions which offers music courses, but they are all situated in the Southern part of the country. With a population of ten million people, there is thus a very small part, which has access to such education … thus a lot needs to be done in this area.

Choir of students and school children are formed year by year, but the need for well-educated leaders of these groups, as well as a thought-through vocal culture for singers and choristers is obvious. Hundreds of singers come together, most of them young.

The practical education, as well as workshops with foreign educators is appearing, but could increase if there was more financial support from the Ministry of Culture and the National Educational system.

There is room for both leaders and composers from abroad to join us in these new developments here in Benin!

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