Haagse muziekdriedaagse - jong talent, grote meesters

Ernest Amankwah

Ernest Amankwah is the leader of the band for a gospel choir that comprises members of no less than fourteen Ghanaian churches in The Hague. Amankwah came to The Hague fifteen years ago and the Philipszaal is not a spot he visits a lot. Traditional concerts like the ones given in the Philipszaal, have little to do with what he does with his choir, but that is exactly what makes this performance so worthwhile for him. “We’re just going to do our thing”, says Amankwah: “and I think that’s just one of the things that makes The Hague Three-Day Music Festival such fun. “You never hear a gospel choir in the Philipszaal. Of course it is different performing there rather than being part of a church service in one of our own communities. The context is different but we are just going to communicate with the audience.”

“Ghanaian gospel has the same soul as the gospel of the American black community. The difference is the style. There’s more of the traditional Ghanaian rhythm in it and there are also reggae and Caribbean influences – certainly in the band – but for us, too, it is all an expression of the joy we feel through our faith. We want very much to share that with people from outside our community.
We are doing it for them and of course we want the audience to join in just as they do in our church.

We’re gonna get them moving!”