James Varrick Armaah, the founder of Ghana’s celebrated Harmonious Chorale, has always had a deep-rooted passion for music, a talent he began nurturing from a young age.
Born into a musical family in Winneba, Armaah’s early experiences shaped his journey as one of Ghana’s foremost choral composers and conductors. In a recent interview, he reflected on the childhood moments that sparked his enduring love for music and choral composition.
“Everyone is born with an inbuilt talent. I saw mine quickly,” Armaah shared, reminiscing about how, as a child, he was captivated by the music he encountered in church. “I liked music. I go to church and I always wanted to be with the musicians. I move upstairs and watch the organists,” he recalled.
Back home, he would eagerly replicate the scenes he’d witnessed. His older brother would wrap himself in a large cloth, pretending to conduct, while Armaah would draw a keyboard and play on it, singing along as if he were performing in front of an audience.
“It was beautiful,” he described. Armaah’s early experiences were also shaped by inspiring mentors. He fondly remembers his Sunday school teacher, Teacher OC, and another mentor who now serves at Taifa Methodist, describing them as “fantastic people” who nurtured his talents and encouraged his interest in music.
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Growing up in a family immersed in choral music, Armaah’s father served as the choir master at the Winneba A.M.E Zion Cathedral, and his mother was a dedicated chorister. This environment offered Armaah a steady exposure to choral traditions. Even at a young age, he was able to memorize all four parts of songs sung at choir rehearsals, impressing those around him. By age seven, he had started composing songs for his Sunday school classmates, and at just eleven, he began playing the church organ, a role that would set him on a lifelong path in music.
In 2000, Armaah joined the Winneba Youth Choir (WYC) as their principal organist, working alongside the choir’s director, Paa John, until July 2007. During this period, he played a significant role in helping elevate the image and repertoire of the choir, making WYC one of the leading youth choirs in Ghana. This experience further honed his skills and confidence in choral music.
In the years that followed, Armaah founded the Harmonious Chorale, a choir that has since become one of Ghana’s premier choral groups. Known for its compelling performances and Armaah’s original compositions, the Harmonious Chorale has transformed the Ghanaian choral landscape, blending traditional choral music with contemporary sounds to create a style that resonates deeply with audiences across the country.
Today, James Varrick Armaah stands as an influential figure in Ghanaian choral music, inspiring a new generation of singers and composers with his story, his dedication, and his vision.
