Philip Gbeho
| Philip Comi Gbeho | |
|---|---|
| Born |
14 January 1904 Vodza, Gold Coast |
| Died | 24 September 1976 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | Ghanaian |
| Alma mater | Achimota Teacher Training College |
| Occupation | Composer, music teacher |
| Known for | Arts Council of Ghana National Symphony Orchestra Ghana |
| Notable work | Ghana National Anthem |
| Home town | Vodza, Ghana |
| Children | Victor Gbeho |
| Parent(s) | Doe Gbeho Ametowofa Gadzekpo |
| Relatives |
|
| Awards | Grand Medal (Ghana) |
Philip Comi Gbeho (14 January 1904 – 24 September 1976) was a Ghanaian musician, composer and teacher. He was best known for his composition of the Ghana National Anthem. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Arts Council of Ghana and was a Director of Music and conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra in Ghana.
Philip Gbeho was born on Saturday, 14 January 1904, in Vodza, a fishing village in the suburb of Keta in the Volta Region. He attended the Keta Roman Catholic Boys School where he was introduced to the organ, which he learnt to play in a short time and even became a pupil organist until he left the school.
His father, Doe Gbeho, was a fisherman. His mother, Ametowofa, from the Gadzekpo family, was a trader who was also reputed to have musical talent and was a leader of the female singers in the village drumming and dancing group.
In January 1925 Philip Gbeho gained admission to the newly opened Achimota Teacher Training College in Accra. While studying to become a teacher, he took advantage of the tremendous facilities that the college offered in music to upgrade his own knowledge and practice of music. He was a pianist and violinist, both of which he excelled in because he developed his skills under the tutelage of expatriate teachers in Achimota College who were also very versatile in music.
Gbeho was also an accomplished indigenous musician, ever since childhood. He played nearly all the drums of the Ewe Agbadza orchestra as well as teach traditional Anlo songs. Achimota College encouraged the performance of traditional drumming and dancing from all parts of the country and so Gbeho had the opportunity of keeping up with his indigenous music by performing and teaching it.
Upon graduating as a teacher in December 1929, Gbeho returned to Keta to teach at the Roman Catholic Boys School. Since he was imbued with a strong passion for music he immediately resumed the role of organist at the St. Michael's Catholic Cathedral in Keta where he also founded the St. Cecilia's Choir (which is still in existence) and brought it to an unusually high performance standard in the District. He also started an informal school of music in Keta that prepared students for the external examinations of London's Victoria College of Music.
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