PASMAE

Dear music educators, musicians, and friends of PASMAE
It is our great pleasure to announce the hosting of the International PASMAE Regional Conference that will take place in Ghana. This is of special significance to us as it is the first time that a PASMAE conference will be hosted in Ghana.
After more than two years of COVID-19 restrictions which made online conferences a reality, it is exciting to look forward to an event where we can enjoy spontaneous interactions and communication by being physically present.
Our conference theme is Evolving musical arts spaces, cultures, and sustainable development in Africa, and we are planning a range of exciting opportunities and experiences for our conference attendees. As we share interests in music, arts, culture, heritage and education, this conference will allow opportunities for critical debates, stimulating workshops, and exciting performances. 
We are eager to explore new ideas with you and look forward to your participation in this exciting event where we can enjoy the natural beauty of the county and participate in its vibrant musical culture.
Warm regards and music blessings.

Dorette Vermeulen
PASMAE President 2021-2023

Akwaaba, a word you must start getting used to as you prepare to attend the PASMAE 2023 biennial conference in Ghana. It is a word that means ‘welcome’ in Akan (the most widely spoken local language in Ghana) and the language of the people of Cape Coast where the conference is taking place. The Ghana Music Teachers’ Association (GMTA), with the institutional support of the University of Cape Coast, University of Education (Winneba), the University of Ghana (Legon), and Ghana’s National Commission on Culture (NCC), is excited to host the PASMAE-ISME Regional Conference for the first time in Ghana. Being the first in-person PASMAE regional conference after the global pandemic, it promises to be a very special occasion for all the positive things that PASMAE conferences have been known for - a stimulating intellectual and cultural exchange, world-class performances and exhibitions, and above all, a renewal of our collective energies for championing the course of the Musical Arts in our respective countries. The theme for the conference, evolving musical arts spaces, cultures, and sustainable development in Africa and the corresponding sub-themes, is critical, timely and begs for our reflection.

Over the period of the pandemic and afterwards, we have witnessed the decline of certain musical art forms/styles and the rising into prominence of others. Alternative spaces and platforms for performances have emerged and some previously-used performance spaces have had to be reconsidered. Different artistes, performing groups and ensembles have been affected in many diverse ways. New modes of cultural expression and artistic production have become part of our diurnal reality. All these, and more, have implications for what we do as academics, teachers, performers, researchers and practitioners. Considering that many institutions across Africa are embarking on massive revisions of their curricular as part of efforts to decolonize the African academy and to make leap-strides towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of getting together to share ideas through this ISME-PASMAE regional conference cannot be overemphasized.

I have the pleasure, as conference Chair, along with all the hardworking planning committee members, to welcome you all to Ghana and to the campus of a rare sea-front University (https://ucc.edu.gh/ ). The security in Ghana and the noted-hospitality of Ghanaians will jointly provide the much-needed atmosphere for a very productive conference. Beyond the confines of the University where the conference will be held, Cape Coast plays host to many tourists annually who visit the historical Cape Coast and (UNESCO world heritage site) Elmina castles (https://www.easytrackghana.com/tour-ghana-elmina-castle.php), the Kakum National Park/Canopy walkway (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303866-d478872-Reviews-Kakum_National_Park-Cape_Coast_Central_Region.html), partake in emancipation and PANAFEST activities (https://www.palacetravel.com/africa-destinations/panafest-21st-anniversary-celebration-10-days/), observe the fascinating artisanal singing-fishermen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owmc0ke21O8&t=1028s) and engage in the rich tapestry of cultural activities offered by numerous cultural groups. Please pay close attention to the deadlines and make your submissions in time. Looking forward to meeting you all at the conference. Akwaaba.

Eric Debrah Otchere

LOC Chair