Compositional Processes of Xylafrique: A Contemporary Art Composition based on the Dagaaba gyil of Ghana

Abstract

In recent years, theorist and creative ethnomusicologists have been stressing on the use of elements in indigenous music to achieve syncretism in musical compositions. This article examines the compositional processes of Xylafrique, a contemporary art composition based on Dagaaba gyil of Ghana. It delineates traditional elements in relation to conventions of xylophone musical genre of the Dagaaba. It highlights the compositional applications of both Western and African music based on Webster's model of creative thinking, Nketia's syncretic approach theory and the bi-musicality and African Pianism theories of Euba. Xylafrique provides a theoretical platform that aids the study of traditional music that could be adapted for other non-Western music traditions. It exposes selected traditional idioms of Dagaaba gyil genre to the world of composition. The composition adds to the repertoire of art music and therefore envisaged that it will foster creativity in not only students studying composition but art composers who use traditional elements in constructing their imaginative ideas in creating music.