Tag: Muson

THE annual music scholars’s concert of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) ended amidst glizt, as the graduands thrilled fans and friend with sonorous songs backed by superb instrumentation.

Sponsored by MTN Foundation, the Corporate Social Investment vehicle of telecommunications, MTN, the event which was an appreciation concert of the sponsorship initiative of the Foundation, entered its 9th edition this year.

Director of the MUSON School of Music, Mrs. Marion Akpata lauded MTNF’s efforts at supporting and nurturing young talents in Nigeria.

“When talents are ignored or unused, they become a distant memory, which is why we cannot imagine a world of music without the support of organizations like MTN Foundation. The Foundation has given meaning to the lives of these young talents and we are thankful. You have indeed proven your motto of ‘improving lives in our communities’ and we are eternally grateful,” said Akpata.

According to the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro, the Foundation seeks to always empower people in its host communities. Okoro said the MUSON scholars were a source of joy and pride to the Foundation and like their predecessors; they would be assets not only to their immediate families, but to MUSON and to the country as a whole.

“We also thank the Musical Society of Nigeria for giving us the opportunity to touch lives and to pave way for a beautiful Christmas celebration with these beautiful and melodious renditions which we have come to look forward to,” Okoro said.

Corporate Services Executive, MTN, Akinwale Goodluck noted that the MTNF-MUSON Scholars Scheme is one of the projects under the Foundation’s education portfolio that has continued to record success with past beneficiaries going on to excel in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. “This has justified the introduction of MTNF/MUSON Scholars programme which began in 2006 with the aim of giving opportunities and support to students with talent in music but lack the financial wherewithal to achieve their dreams. We pledge our continued support for these young talents as we continue to invest in initiatives aimed at enhancing living and empowering Nigerians,” he said.

Since the inception of the scheme in 2006 about 162 graduates have emerged from the programme and have either proceeded for further studies or gone into full time music.

Three of the first set of students who graduated in June 2008 secured admission to study Music at the University of Dayton, Ohio, United States of America and graduated in 2013. The three students, Olufemi Ogebule, Ezeuko Anuli and Paul Ogunboye, became the first Africans to graduate with honours from the Department of Music of the University. In April 2014, another student, Agatha Ibeazor also graduated with honours from the Truman State University in the United States of America. She became the first African to have her name on the Honours Wall in the College’s music department.

As preparation for the 18th edition of the annual Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) festival approaches, Mr. Tunde Jegede has been appointed the new Artistic Director at the Nigeria’s prime art facility in Lagos.

Jegede, a composer, multi-instrumentalist and musician, has, therefore, taken over from Mr. Thomas Kanitz, a German, who was noted for his exemplary service while at the centre.

Already, the MUSON festival committee is set to officially release the full programme of the festival which, in 18 years, has become a yearly landmark in the Lagos and Nigeria cultural calendar.

The 10-day festival, which features a potpourri of high-quality artistic and cultural productions, holds from October 16 to 26at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Born in 1972 to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother, Jegede had his education at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama(1990-1992) and Purcell School of Music(1981-1999).His appreciation of African Diasporic culture was initiated and nurtured at the famous Keskidee Centre, Britain’s first Black Arts Centre. From an early age, he was exposed to resident and visiting artists who worked in a multi-disciplinary mode such as Bob Marley, Walter Rodney, Edward Braithwaite, Angela Davis and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

Jegede’s apprenticeship in African music began in 1978 and was further developed in 1982 when he first went to the Gambia to study the ancient griot tradition of West Africa, with Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, master of the Kora (the Harp-Lute found in West Africa).

His appreciation of Western Classical music began with his grandfather’s love of Bach and by observing his work as a church organist. He also studied Cello from the age of eight and over the years was taught by esteemed luminaries from the Classical world including AlfiaBekova, Elma de Bruyne, Joan Dickson and Raphael Wallfisch at the Purcell School of Music and later the Guildhall School of Music.

In 1988, Tunde became fascinated with Jazz and worked and toured with ex-members of the Jazz Warriors founded by Courtney Pine & Cleveland Watkiss. He formed his own Jazz Ensemble, The Jazz Griots, with the sole purpose of exploring the connections between African and African Diasporic forms of music.

In 1991, he pioneered African Classical Music in the UK with the first ever-national tour of the African Classical music ensemble, which nurtured his burgeoning composer credentials. In 1995 a BBC TV documentary, ‘Africa I Remember’ was done on Jegede’s music and centred around his orchestral work.

Jegede has risen to be among the pioneers in the continent and his vast experience has taken him around the world where he served and performed in various capacities.

Besides his outstanding achievements in music, he is also author of two books: The Silenced Voice (1987) and African Classical Music (1994) both published by Diabate Arts.

It was a night of musical renditions as the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), Monday, held the 7th graduation concert of the MTN Foundation scholars, with thrilling live performances by the graduating students.

Opening the performances for the night was Nonso Diali with the inspirational song Smile. Following Nomnso’s performance was Uwana Etuk, who rendered the classic piece Halleluya with his trumpet. Other performers at the concert include Lydia Adeshina, Andrew Udeh, Dele Olutade, Tomisin Akinda, Tolu Onakpoya, Efe Dojeh, Edith Okoli, Babatunde Odufoye, Timothy Ogunbyi, Goodness Onuoha as well as Paul Irabor.

While the concert had a high dose of violin, piano, saxophone and trumpets backing the various sonorous voices, Tolu Onakpoya gave a different blend with his performance of Tete Wa Ba Mi Se. Bordering between spoken word and poetry, the performance had guests cheering.

Adding spice to the event was Praiz who made an appearance as a surprise guest. The MTN ambassador and 2nd runner up of the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame had some words of advice for the graduating students. Praiz advised the students to always keep their head up, be focused and dedicated in their pursuits and above all, to do away with pride as it has led to the downfall of most artistes.

Adding a tinge of humour to the performances for the night was Lydia Adeshina with her rendition of Doll Aria adapted from Offenbach’s Opera, TheTales of Hoffman. The petite performer, almost flawlessly put up a robotic recital, one which guests, at first hand didn’t quite grasp. It was until she broke down and had to be rewound by the accompanying pianist before guests got the hang of it.

Amid glitz, the fortunes of 10 young filmmakers got a boost last Saturday, as they received prizes in different categories of the MTN Afronolly short film competition.

The event, at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, witnessed a large number of youngsters from different African countries.

They all came with high hopes, but only a few were adjudged worthy of the laurels.

In the Short Film category, the first prize of $25,000 was clinched by Florian Schott for his flick, Everything Happens for a Reason, while Crimson– Your Cup of Tea, by Daniel Etim Effiong and 10:10 by Gbenga Salu came second and third place, earning $10,000 and $5,000.

In the Documentary segment, Victor Okoye was decorated with the best diadem for his film, Creative Minds, going home with $25,000 cash prize. The second prize of $10,000 went to Ronke Ogunmakin for Awele’s Diary while Ng’endo Mukii came third place with Yellow Fever, getting $5,000.

But it was not a winners-take-all, as the other four finalists from both categories received $500 each.

An ecstatic Florian Schott, a Namibian, said winning the $25,000 is a great opportunity for him to help in devloping the Namibian film industry.

“It’s amazing. I am more than excited, coming tops in the MTN Afrinolly Short Film category. I am extremely grateful to MTN for the $25,000 prize money and award given to me; this will help in pushing the Namibian film industry further, because, I will reinvest the money into film production in my country,” he declared.

Although a joyous event for the eventual winners, the judges had a sober moment remembering one of their colleagues, who could not live to see the day. He was Komla Dumor, the Ghanaian journalist, who worked for BBC World News as a main presenter of Focus on Africa, who died on January 18.

From the selection of judges, headed by Nigeria’s Femi Odugbemi, it was evident the award came up with the best in a keenly-contested show.

The competition, an online challenge for young Africans to create short and documentary films of 15 minutes, requires participants to upload their works to a dedicated website, where finalists are decided by the jury and votes.

The initiative is being partnered by MTN Nigeria, iRepresent International Documentary Film Festival and Goethe Institut.

Speaking at the event, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, said MTN would always love to develop every area where it operates. “Our core objective for sponsoring Afrinolly is to empower African youths to tell their stories from their perspective and eliminate financial barriers to produce quality movies.”

Other judges include Mahen Bonetti, Franklin Leonard, Tunde Kelani, Bongiwe Selane, Steven Markovitz, Akin Omotoso, Obi Emelonye, Nmachi Jidenma and Tambay Obenson.