THE SALT AND LIGHT MUSIC MINISTRY
The Salt and Light Music Ministry (SALMM) is a faction of the Salt and Light Ministry (SALM). One of the objectives of SALM is to motivate, inspire and encourage people to live effective and productive Christian lives, which we strive to achieve through programmes organised by the music Ministry.
We read from Colossians 3:16 – that “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”. We could not find any better means of fulfilling God’s word than spearheading musical programmes through the Music Ministry.
The major genre of music is choral and sacred Music which includes, hymns from the Wesleyans, the Watts, the Lutherans among others. We also perform classical anthems from the handles, Hydens as well Ghanaian Choral anthems form Ghanaian composers.
The Music ministry since its inception has organised numerous programmes for lovers of its genre. Some of our programmes are seasonal (Christmas and Easter, quarterly) and others are organised as and when it the Holy Spirit leads us to do so.
Our Patrons
Every Christian who professes the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and has a passion for choral and classical music is our patron. However there are particular Christians whose love for choral, classical and sacred music as well as support for the Ministry cannot be measured. We refer to them as our “Patrons” and they are people who irrespective of their busy family, work and church responsibilities, still find time to attend all or most of our programmes.
Our Sponsors
The Lord touches the heart of some individuals and organisations to constantly support us especially in our various programmes. The following individuals and organisations have been supporting us for the past years;
• Cal Bank
• GLICO
• Stanbic Bank
• Agricultural Development Bank
• Our Programmes
• Accra Breweries Ghana Ltd
• Blow Chem(Bel Aqua)
• Fan Milk Ghana Ltd
• UNA Agencies
• Sunseekers Tours
Pre-Easter Concert
This is an annual event organised during the Lenten season to prepare our minds for the “Passion” of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the reason for the celebration of Easter. Our Easter concerts are organized in three sessions;
• Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem,
• His Crucifixion and Death;
• The Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christmas Concert
We organise Christmas concerts to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ and also to appreciate the support of our patrons throughout the year.
Other Projects
Evening with Composers
The idea of the “Evenings with” composers is borne out the passionate desire of Dr. Joyce R. Aryee to
“Expose” and “showcase” the works of Ghanaian composers in the classical and choral genre. This kind of music is what the church in Ghana has given to the musical heritage of Ghana but which is not being given its deserving place in the cultural and religious development of Ghana. We believe that choral music is what has spawned gospel music which is now so popular in Ghana because it has adopted the more populistic trends in music – highlife, reggae, hip-life, rhythm and blue etc. While Gospel music is loved by all, choral music also has a very large “constituency” and most of them the youth.
To get the audience to appreciate the place of sacred music in our daily walk with the Lord, which really is our act of continuing worship.
To get those “utterly” gifted composers to connect with those of us whose only “call to the halls of the muses” is our love for the lyrics and melodies that these composers put together.
To find a way of giving glory to God for “His wondrous doings” of gifting men with the ministry of angels. By showcasing the works of composers through singing by choirs, we give recognition and thanks to God for graciously allowing men and women (mere mortals) to join angels to continually worship Him.
To build up the Harmonious Chorale, the resident choir of the Salt and Light Ministries as Ghana’s foremost performing choir and to use them to raise the quality of choral groups and their performance.
So far the Salt and Light Ministries through the Salt and Light Music Ministry has had evenings with eight composers, namely, Sekyi Baidoo, Kenn KafuiJames Varrick ArmaahTsemafo Arthur ( Newlove Annan, G J Koomson &J Ato Scott- Bennin George Mensah Essilfie and Osei Boateng
To the glory of God, all these evenings with the above-mentioned composers have been enjoyable and fulfilling evenings for the composers and the audience.
CD’s for the various programmes
We try as much as possible to record all our programmes on CD and DVD for our patrons to enjoy. For more information on our CD’s please contact 0268130615. Meanwhile below is a list of CD’s and DVD’s available at our offices.
Pre-Easter Concert 2013 – Both CD and DVD
Adoration 2 – CD
A festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 2012 – DVD
Evening with Soloists – CD
Evening with George Mensah Esilfie – CD
Abundant Grace – DVD
An evening with Osei Boateng
An evening with Yaw Sakyi Biadoo
The Harmonious Chorale
The harmonious Chorale is the resident choir of the Salt and Light Ministries. The choir has become widely known in Ghana as one of the best choral music groups and is under the chairmanship of Dr. Joyce R. Aryee (communication and Management Consultant and Executive Director, Salt and Light Ministries) and directorship of James Varrick Armaah, a composer and graduate from the School of Performing Arts- Music Department of the University of Ghana, Legon.
Since its Formation in 2007, the choir, through dedication and hard work has carved a niche for itself in the genre of Ghanaian Choral Music. The Choir has among its objectives seeks to promote musical compositions of Ghanaian and African religious (church) musicians, evangelise and minister to the world through its melodious and spirit filled repertoires and tunes, serving as witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For more information about the choir please visit their website on www.harmoniouschorale.org.
