Paschal Younge, director of the West Virginia University World Music Center, has been invited by the government of Hong Kong to perform and direct at the Hong Kong International Percussion Extravaganza (Carnival) Oct. 18-26.

He will premiere his new African solo contemporary work titledHomagefor Iya Ilu (Mother of all Drums) at concerts Oct. 19-25 that feature drum music from Guinea, Ghana, Benin and Northern Ghana, as well as Chinese Zheng music and Ewe drum music.

In addition to directing two major concerts, Dr. Younge will conduct special clinics and workshops at music academies and universities, including workshops for 700-1,000 students in elementary and secondary schools. The workshops will include discussions of music making in African societies, the general features of African music, procedures in African drumming, as well as understanding rhythmic structures, polyrhythmic structures, linear and multi-linear rhythmic procedures and understanding African percussion through movement and games.

The performances, workshops and clinics will take place at Hong Kong Cultural Center, Baptist University, Chinese University, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the University of Hong Kong.

In addition to directing the WVU World Music Center, Younge is associate professor of music and also directs the African Music Program and several ensembles, including the African Drumming and Dance Ensemble and the group Azaguno.

A native of Ghana, West Africa, he holds a professional music education diploma from the National Academy of Music, Winneba, Ghana; a special advanced diploma in African music and dance, with distinction, from the University of Ghana, Legon; and a master of music in music education, and doctor of education in curriculum and instruction from WVU . Prior to coming to WVU , he taught at the University of Ghana, where he served as principal music instructor and director of several ensembles, including brass bands, choirs and other instrumental groups.

Younge is a specialist in African brass band music, a clinician in sub-Saharan African music and dance and an advocate of multicultural music education. He has presented lectures, workshops, clinics, performances and seminars at festivals and conferences throughout the United States and in Canada, Cuba, France, Ghana, South Korea, Togo, Cote dIvoire and Taiwan. He has also presented workshops at more than 100 schools and colleges in West Virginia.