Augustine Kwasiga Younge: The Great Musician, Composer, Educator, Scouter and Counselor: The Pioneer in Revitalization and Africanization of the Catho

When the Catholic Church realized the itching urge to inject more African Culture in her Christian worship to revitalize the Liturgy and Mass in the 1960s, Mr. A.K. Younge, alias "Master Younge," in a solo effort revolutionized the Roman Catholic Church musical scene by initially replacing the "Old Latin Hymns" with traditional tunes accompanied by African musical instruments. As his determination persisted, he found himself in the greatest imbroglio as some church elders and musicians cast insinuations for what they believed to be anti-Christ (Catholic). With much encouragement from his dear wife Catherine Afiwor Younge and full support by the Papal See in Rome, Master Younge delved deeper. He came out with many compositions and innovations that provided the foundation that seemed to meet the aspirations and expectations of the awakened African Catholicism in Ghana and the Keta Diocese.

If traditional African drums, bells, and rattles are heard in Catholic churches today in Ghana, we must, with all certainty and reverence, remember the efforts of Master Younge. He made it happen. His Era's selected contemporaries also covered include Adalbert Kodjo Mensah Tibu, Philip Gbeho, Emmanuel Gakpo Gadzekpo, Togbe Afiatsoa II: Mr. George Kwame Akordor, and Cornelius Kofi Doe-Williams (alias CK).

About the Author

The sights and sounds of Africa fill the air when Paschal Yao Younge, the Ohio Arts Council, 2020 Ohio Heritage Fellowship Awardee, Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, a multi-talented and interdisciplinary musician, scholar, composer, author, and performer, presents world percussion music and dance forms internationally, focusing on styles from Africa and the African Diaspora. Dr. Younge, Professor of Music at Ohio University, is currently the Executive and Music Director of Azaguno, Inc., a multi-ethnic ensemble based in Athens, Ohio that focuses on research, preservation, and performance of African, African American, Caribbean, and Latin American Music and Dance.

Paschal, the last child of Augustine Kwasiga Younge and Catherine Younge, both musicians. was born at Dzodze, a village in the Volta Region of Ghana. His parents introduced him to western and traditional Ghanaian musical instruments at an early age of 3. It was no surprise that by age 8, Paschal had learned to play the organ and violin, accompanied the church choir with traditional African instruments, and participated in community cultural groups. Throughout his life, Paschal has continued studying and teaching other western musical instruments such as the trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, alto saxophone, and clarinet, and various traditional Ghanaian musical types and instruments. He further expands his understanding and knowledge of African cultural heritage through drumming, dancing, and research.

As a specialist in African choral and brass band music, a clinician in other sub-Saharan African musical arts, world percussion, and advocate of intercultural, interdisciplinary, and multicultural music, Younge has presented and performed at several festivals, concerts, and conferences internationally in over 45 States/Provinces in the US/Canada and 25 countries internationally. Before coming to Ohio University, Younge taught at WVU, where he served as Director of the World Music Center and at the University of Ghana as Principal Music Instructor and director of several ensembles, including brass bands, choirs, and other instrumental groups.