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Vincent Joseph Robert Richter was an accomplished Ghanaian pianist and academician, Born October 26th 1939, in Portugese Guinea (now Guinea Bissau) to the late Lawrence Ludwig Richter and Margaret Esi Richter (née Coleman) and died on April 7th 2025. He was baptized on January 1st, 1947 and later confirmed into the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church on Nov. 27th 1955.

Vincent began his formal education at St. Thomas Primary School and continued to the Osu Presbyterian Middle Boys Boarding School (Salem), where he earned his Middle School Leaving Certificate in October of 1956. He furthered his studies at the Osu Presbyterian Secondary School as one of its pioneer students in 1956, graduating in 1960 with his O-Level Certificate. His passion for music was evident early on, leading him to join the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church Choir, where he also served as an organist during church services.

After completing his secondary education, Vincent was awarded a scholarship by the Government of Ghana to pursue post-secondary studies abroad. In 1962, he traveled to the Netherlands and enrolled at The Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague. There, he studied music and graduated with the highest honours in music and piano performance in 1969.

Upon returning to Ghana in 1969, Vincent continued his service to the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church as an organist and choirmaster, working alongside the late Mr. Azariah and the late Mr. Solomon Quartey. In 1975, he was among the choir masters transferred to assist the newly established Osu North Presbyterian Church. Later, he returned to Osu Ebenezer to succeed the late Jeremiah Engmann as the main organist and choirmaster.

Vincent’s professional career in academia began in 1970-73 at the Specialist Training College((SIT), Winneba. He later joined the National Academy of Music(NAM) Winneba from 1973-81 taught and served as Head of the Piano Department, also serving as Deputy Head of the Academy. Between 1981-86, Vincent accepted a teaching position at the Music Department of Oyo State College of Education Ilesha, Nigeria, where he contributed significantly to the music faculty for many years and was well-known to music lovers at the University of Ibadan and Ife in Nigeria, where he had the opportunity to demonstrate his music artistry, also appearing in a number of public performancesRadio and T.V programs in Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria.

Eventually, he returned to Ghana and continued his teaching at the National Academy Of Music in Winneba from 1986-90. He later accepted a teaching position at the University of Ghana’s School of Performing Arts, Music Department, Legon in 1990 where he remained until his retirement in 2006. He was appointed Assistant Local Examiner for the General Certificate of Education ‘A’ Level Music (Aural Test) by London University in 1974. Further appointment by West African Examination Council as Examiner for Music Performance Tests for G.C.E ‘O’ Level and Senior Secondary Schools. He was also appointed External Examiner in Music by Cape Coast University for 3 year post Secondary Training Colleges in 1977 and 1978. Vincent was awarded Golden Jubilee Special Award by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation in 1985.

LECTURES AND PERFORMANCES:

1.16th November, 1990:Concert of Piano & Vocal Music at the Great Hall, During which he accompanied Quentin Hayes ( A visiting British Baritone).

2. 20th March, 1991: University Congregation week activities. Concert of Vocal & Instrumental Music Featuring chorus of the Dept. of Music & The University Choir. I accompanied and the Dept's Choir and played Piano solos.

3. 5th June, 1991: Lecture/Recital on works by contemporary Ghanaian composers at the Goethe Institute-Accra.

4. 6th September, 1991: A NAM Conference concert at the Centre for National Culture, Accra with the National Symphony Orchestra during which I played "The Mandela Overture arranged for Piano voice and orchestra by N.Z. Nayo.

5. 13th December, 1991: 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the University of Ghana. I was the accompanist in a concert that featured excerpts from the "Messiah" & "The Creation"

6. 31st January, 1992: 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the University of Ghana - Concert of Western and African Music at the Drama Studio. I featured on the Piano.

7. 25th March, 1992: 30th Anniversary Celebrations of the University of Ghana. Featured on the Piano again in a concert of Western and African Music.

8. 15th December, 1992: Accompanied the Choirs of the Music Dep't. Legon, & The University College of Winneba in the Performance of Vivaldi's "Gloria"

9. 17th December, 1992: Accompanied the Music Dept's Choir in a concert of X'mas Music & Excerpts from the "Messiah". Venue: Drama Studio.

10. 6th November, 1993: Lecture for Choirmasters & Organists of the Ga District Presbyterian Church at the Church of Resurrection. Accra. Topic: Learning a new song.

11. 16th March, 1994: Accompanied the Choir of the Music Dep't. in a Concert of Easter Music. Work performed:- "From Olivet to Calvary" by J.H. Maunder.

12. 1994-Concert at the British High Commissioner's residence in honour of Prince Edward on his visit to Ghana.

13. 8th August, 1994: Accompanist to the visiting Italian Soprano - Giovanna Zanol Pinzi at a concert at the Italian Embassy in Accra. Concert was arranged by the Italian Embassy.

14. 6th May, 1994: Repetition of the above. Concert at the Goethe Institute, Accra. Gave Piano Recital and accompanied a singer.

15. 11th August, 1994: Lecture/Workshop at the International Centre for African Music & Dance. Topic: African Percussion and the concept of "African Pianism." Venue: S.P.A. Legon.

16. February, 1995: Lecture at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church for Church Group Leaders, Choirmasters and Organists. Topic: "Music in Worship".

17.April, 1995: Made a Documentary Programme on "African Pianism" for a visiting German Television Team from Berlin.

18. 12th & 13th April, 1995: Accompanied the Music Dept's Choir on the Piano in a performance of Maunder's "From Olivet to Calvary. Venue: The Drama Studio, Legon.

19.8th September, 1995: Concert at the British High Commissioner's residence in Accra.

20. March, 1997:

21. April, 1998: Piano recital at PIPA's HEALTH CENTRE Piano recital at Canadian High Commissioner's residence.

22. April, 1998: Accompanist to a ballet examination conducted by the ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE, LONDON.

23.June, 1998: Piano recital & accompanist to a singer at the residence of the representative of UNESCO.

24. March, 1999: Accompanist to a ballet examination conducted by the ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE, LONDON.

Over the years, Vincent taught courses in Piano as his area of specialization, Aural training, Musicianship, Musical Form and Analysis, Introduction to Part-writing, History of Music and Literature and Materials of Music.

Also, worth noting are some of his other performances:

16th November 1990: Concert of Piano and Vocal Music of the Great Hall, University of Ghana where he accompanied QUENTIN HAYES (Visiting British Baritone)

5th June 1991: Lecture/Recital on works by contemporary Ghanaian composers at the Goethe Institute, Accra.

1994: Concert at the British High Commissioner's residence in honour of Prince Edward on his visit to Ghana.

8th August 1994: Accompanist to the visiting Italian Soprano - Giovanna Zonal Pinzi in a concert at the Italian Embassy in Accra

11 August 1994: Repetition of the above Lecture/Workshop at the International Centre for African Music and Dance, University of Ghana. Topic: African Percussion and the Concept of "African Pianism".

18th April 1995: Contributed to a Documentary Programme on "African Pianism" for a visiting German T.V team from Berlin.