Sowah Mensah has many years of experience conducting workshops and residencies in schools across the country. He works with all levels of students and teachers (elementary, middle, high school, and college), and his compositions include arrangements for band, choir, and orchestra. In addition, he works with percussion ensembles, teaching African drums and xylophones as well as African dance. Sowah frequently gives lectures and demonstrations on African music and culture.

Listed below are pieces that can be learned and performed by students during a residency. Sowah is happy to talk with schools about which projects (as described below or as uniquely created) can best fit their settings and goals. He is also delighted to discuss possibilities for new commissioned works.

Jump to: Band | Chorus | Orchestra | Percussion Ensemble | Lectures & Workshops

1. Sii Sii Sii (2004)
   Length: 4-6 minutes
   Although this piece was originally commissioned by an elementary band and choir, there are high school and college level arrangements available as well. There are two versions: 1) chorus, band, and African drums and 2) band and African drums.
   NOTE: Sii Sii Sii can also be adapted for orchestra and chorus.
    
2. Kunkum (2002)
   Length: 3-7 minutes
   A smaller piece for band, African drums, and optional chorus. African dance can also be added. This work is suitable for bands at the junior high through college level. The length varies, depending on the preference of the conductor.
    
3. Nyamo (2001)
   Length: 8-10 minutes
   A longer composition with two versions: 1) band, large chorus, and African ensemble and 2) band and African ensemble. This is suitable for students at the high school or college level.

1. Sii Sii Sii (2004)
   Length: 3-5 minutes
   A piece for choir and African drums.
   NOTE: Sii Sii Sii can also be adapted for band and orchestra.
    
2. Bronya A Ba (Christmas Is Here) (2002)
   Length: 3-5 minutes
   This piece is written for SATB, African drums, and optional piano.
    
3. Asomdwee (Peace) (2003)
   Length: 3-5 minutes
   This is a secular version of Bronya A Ba (see above).
    
4. Wo Ayi Me A Ma (2000)
   Length: 6-8 minutes
   A secular song for SATB, African drums, and optional piano.
    
5. Mo Mma Yen Ngye Yen Ani (1993)
   Length: 6-8 minutes
   A piece for SATB, African drums, and piano.
    
6. Traditional Ghanaian Songs, Ghanaian Gospel Songs
   Length: Varies
   Choral arrangements of Ghanaian traditional and gospel songs. Many of these can be taught during one or more class periods.

1. Sii Sii Sii (2004)
   Length: 3-5 minutes
   A piece for orchestra and African drums.
   NOTE: Sii Sii Sii can also be adapted for band and choir.
    
2. Agoo (2003)
   Length: 8-10 minutes
   Originally a composition for orchestra and Speaking in Tongues, a quartet made up of an African percussionist, a world-beat percussionist, Chinese pipa player and electric bass. This piece can be re-written for 1) orchestra or 2) orchestra and large chorus and is suitable for students at the high school or college level.
    
3. Jaliyaa (1999)
   Length: 10-15 minutes
   A composition for Kora (a 21-string Mandinka harp-lute), full orchestra, African drums, and chorus. This piece is suitable for students at the high school or college level.
    
4. Pot of Wisdom (1997)
   Length: 10-20 minutes
   A setting of an African folktale for orchestra, narrator, African ensemble, and optional African dancer. This piece is suitable for students at the high school or college level.
    
5. The Tapper (1996)
   Length: 5 minutes
   This composition is for orchestra and African drums and is suitable for students at the high school or college level.
    
6. Esee Sane (1995)
   Length: 10-15 minutes
   A composition for full orchestra and African drum ensemble. This is suitable for students at the high school or college level.

Sowah can teach both African drumming and dancing. This instruction can be open to any interested students even outside music departments. Within the timespan of a residency, Sowah can create a percussion ensemble (with or without dance) and prepare students for a 30-60 minute culminating performance.

Sowah also has arrangements of traditional Ghanaian xylophone pieces. These can be adapted for mallet instruments such as marimbas or Orff xylophones, or Sowah can bring the traditional xylophones.

Courses that Sowah teaches at the college level include African Music, Music of Black Americans, Jazz and Social Issues, and World Music. On and off campuses, he gives lectures, demonstrations, and master classes (often combinations of these at various convocations and events) on a wide range of topics related to music and culture in Africa and the African diaspora.