About the Program
The Schenectady Youth Orchestra with Zorkie Nelson performs a repertoire of both composed and traditional musics using traditional West African instruments (drums, bells, gourd xylophone, bamboo flutes). Formed and Initiated by Ghanaian master drummer, Zorkie Nelson provides teaching materials, repertoire, and coaching. Schenectady Youth Orchestra with Zorkie Nelson was initiated through an Individual Artists’ grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. The orchestra is open to school-aged members.
Interested in joining? Please watch for upcoming auditions. No prior experience is necessary.
This innovative musical project is modeled after and inspired by the 28-piece orchestra that was founded by Ghanaian musician and composer, Nana Danso Abiam. The founding mission of the original Pan African Orchestra was to perform Afrocentric music comprised of African traditional melodies and rhythms. The original Ghanaian orchestra was founded in 1988 in the spirit of Ghanaian nationalism. The Pan African orchestra in Ghana recruited traditional musicians from the Accra region of Ghana to participate and its repertoire includes compositions by the renowned composer, music educator, and orchestra’s founder, Nana Danso Abiam.
Zorkie Nelson, a resident of Schenectady and a master drummer from Ghana, was an original member of this orchestra of traditional musical instruments. He performed with the group from 1988-1997.
Instruments in the Orchestra include atenteben (bamboo flutes), traditional hand drums, gylis (a traditional gourd xylophone), bells and other percussion instruments. The Orchestra meets weekly. Interested youth are welcome to attend.
The Schenectady/West African Youth Orchestra is funded in part by the Schenectady Foundation, An Arts Thrive and Grow Grant of the Arts Center of the Capital District, and an Arts and Culture Grant from Schenectady County.
Upcoming Orchestra Events
