Basic 6 · Creative Arts · Thinking and Exploring Ideas
International Performing Artists
In this topic you will explore and study the works of some international musicians, dancers, playwrights and actors.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name some international performing artists and their works
- Describe how their works reflect their cultures
- Compare international and Ghanaian performing arts
What you already know
- Performing artists of Ghana and Africa (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Performing Arts
- Sub-strand
- Thinking and Exploring Ideas
- Indicator
- B6.2.1.1.1 – Explore and study performing artworks of some international performing artists
Introduction
Music, dance and drama travel across the world. A song from Jamaica or a play from England can be performed and enjoyed in Ghana. Studying international performers helps us understand other cultures.
1. International Performing Artists
| Artist | Country | Field | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwig van Beethoven | Germany | classical music | Symphony No. 9 with "Ode to Joy"; composed great music even after he became deaf |
| William Shakespeare | England | drama | plays such as "Romeo and Juliet", "Macbeth" and "Julius Caesar" |
| Bob Marley | Jamaica | reggae music | songs of peace, unity and freedom, such as "One Love" and "Redemption Song" |
| Michael Jackson | USA | pop music and dance | the album "Thriller"; the moonwalk dance |
| Alvin Ailey | USA | dance | "Revelations", a dance based on African American spiritual songs |
| Charlie Chaplin | England/USA | film and comedy | silent films with the "Little Tramp" character |
2. How Performing Arts Reflect Culture
Bob Marley's reggae grew from the music of poor communities in Jamaica and carried messages about justice and African identity; he even performed in Zimbabwe at its independence celebration in 1980. Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" uses spirituals sung by enslaved Africans in America to show faith and hope. Shakespeare's plays show the language, kings and beliefs of England over 400 years ago and are still performed in many languages, including in Ghanaian schools. Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" is a song about all people becoming brothers and sisters and is used as the anthem of the European Union.
3. Links with Ghana
| International | Ghanaian connection |
|---|---|
| reggae (Jamaica) | popular in Ghana; influenced Ghanaian reggae artists such as Rocky Dawuni |
| Shakespeare's plays | studied and performed in Ghanaian schools and universities |
| spirituals and jazz (USA) | have African roots; rhythms link to West African music |
| classical music | played by the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra |
4. What We Learn
- Performing arts can carry messages of peace and justice.
- Great artists often overcome difficulties (Beethoven's deafness).
- Music and drama from one culture can be enjoyed everywhere.
- African rhythms have influenced music across the world.
New words
- classical music
- Traditional Western art music by composers such as Beethoven.
- symphony
- A long piece of music for an orchestra.
- reggae
- A Jamaican music style with a strong off-beat rhythm.
- playwright
- A person who writes plays.
- spiritual
- A religious song from African American tradition.
- orchestra
- A large group of musicians playing different instruments.
Summary
- Beethoven, Shakespeare, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and Alvin Ailey are famous international performers.
- Their works reflect the history and culture of their communities.
- Many international art forms have links with Africa and Ghana.
- Performing arts can carry messages of peace and justice.
Class activity: World Music Listening
- Listen to short pieces: classical, reggae and a spiritual (played by the teacher).
- Note the instruments, rhythm and mood of each.
- Compare them with a Ghanaian highlife song.
You need: Printed photographs of selected international performers, Locally made drum, Artist-profile cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Bob Marley was famous for…
- A. reggae music
- B. classical music
- C. painting
- D. football
Show answer
Answer: reggae musicFrom Jamaica.2. Who wrote "Romeo and Juliet"?
- A. William Shakespeare
- B. Beethoven
- C. Charlie Chaplin
- D. Bob Marley
Show answer
Answer: William ShakespeareEnglish playwright.3. "Ode to Joy" is part of a symphony by…
- A. Beethoven
- B. Michael Jackson
- C. Alvin Ailey
- D. Hokusai
Show answer
Answer: BeethovenSymphony No. 9.4. Beethoven composed music even after becoming deaf.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueHe continued composing.5. Reggae music comes from Japan.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt comes from Jamaica.6. A person who writes plays is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: playwrighte.g. Shakespeare.7. Name two international performing artists and their fields.
Show answer
Answer: Bob Marley (reggae), Shakespeare (drama).Any two.8. How does Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" reflect history?
Show answer
Answer: It uses spirituals from enslaved Africans in America to show their faith and hope during suffering.Dance and history.
Homework
- Interview an adult about an international musician they admire and why.