It was founded to be the home of music. Thirty years on, the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) remains the pride of its founders. When it comes to classical music, MUSON is it. It also has School of Music as part of its founders’ dream to keep classical music alive.
Entries for admission into the diploma course this year doubled, according to MUSON’s Acting Chairman, Kitoye-Ibare Akinsan.
The development, he says, indicates that Nigerians, especially Lagosians are imbibing the culture of classical music. He said of the 50 applications received, the school has space for only 25, noting that the school runs a diploma course that is highly rated by universities abroad.
Ibare-Akinsan, who is also the chairman of MUSON Festival, described the music school as the nucleus of MUSON, which has provided the city of Lagos with a centre for the arts.
He spoke in Lagos at the weekend while briefing the press on this year’s MUSON Festival opening on October 17.
“For example this year, we received more than 50 applications and we need 25 students’. Graduates get scholarships from abroad with their qualifications and they are all over the place. Some are in the US, South Africa, UK, among others. With the diploma certificate, students get automatic admission to study higher courses in music and related subjects. MUSON is really proud of it. I must mention the role of MTN because MTN has come in to support the diploma programme,” he said.
He noted that MUSON has impacted the society a great deal as it has become a standard for classical music. He added that ‘we cannot only keep it up but improve on it’.
According to him, MUSON has one of the best and famous choirs and the only symphony orchestra in Nigeria, the MUSON Symphony Orchestra under the artistic director, Mr Thomas Kanitz.
On the challenges faced by the society, Ibare-Akinsan said that it is very difficult to organise and fund art events adding that sometimes the events are self-funded. This, he said, made prices of tickets expensive for arts lovers. He noted that arts concerts are entertainment, which comes after three square meals. “Also, there are other expenses, such as school fees and house rents. So, usually, going to the theatre comes at the very end. However, all around the world, art have been highly sponsored,” he added.
On the role of MUSON in the music industry, Ibare- Akinsan said MUSON is a reference point for the arts and the society has succeeded in establishing the level of theatre that other people are pointing at. He said the society also promotes the appreciation of music no matter what genre of music the artist is associated with, be it Apala, High-life, Jazz, Afro-rock etc.
According to him, there is something to gain by attending the MUSON School as the students are taught the rudiments of music and proficiency in instruments. He recalled that foremost artists, such as Dare-Art Alade, Seun Kuti, passed through the MUSON School.
He observed that people tend to associate with formal theatre more because it has a tradition with rudiments. Continuing, he said: “Formal theatre teaches basic tenets of how to go about producing good theatre plays, good music and one thing is sure that no matter what you do later, the formal and proper training make the student a better performer because he or she has already been exposed to positive ‘tricks’. It also enables the student differentiate between a good performer and a bad performer.“
Ibare-Akinsan said extending MUSON’s activities beyond Lagos would be capital intensive, but that the starting point would tour Nigeria. He noted, however, that MUSON has been conducting exams on music across the country.
The MUSON will be featuring Afrobeat King Femi Kuti and Afro Jazz Diva Yinka Davies in this year’s festival to mark its 30th anniversary. The festival tagged, A Celebration of the perfection in the arts, will hold from October 17 to 27 at MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Reacting to the choice of two prominent artists, Kuti and Davis, Ibare-Akinsan said it was never a problem to choose them to perform on stage. He described the duo as among the best in the country, adding that they have both performed on MUSON stage before. “Even Fela has performed on MUSON stage in the past. I am sure in another five or six years, the committee will call them back,” he said.
Artistic Director of the MUSON Symphony Orchestra, Mr Thomas Konatz, said in Germany, tickets for arts events are subsidised by the state to ensure that people attend the events because theatre is a way of enlightening the people to appreciate the basic tenets of humanity.
Afrobeat King, Kuti, said it is unfortunate that music is taken for granted in this part of the world, urging Nigeria to concentrate on exhibiting young talents. “Everything about me is music, even in my family. My son came to the MUSON School, did the examination and passed. Afterwards, he studied classical music. I never felt oppressed because of my father. I love my father, Fela. I respect and admire him, his music and I live for his music. I am proud to say I am the son of Fela and it is also an honour,” he said.
On the October 17, there will be a one-on-one interactive session that will feature four distinguished guests. They include: Dr Femi Akinkugbe; Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Mrs. Evelyn Oputu; Mr Stanfano De Leo and Ambassador Patrick Cole.
The MUSON Jazz/Afro Festival, which holds on October 19 and features Afrobeat King Femi Kuti and Afrojazz diva Davies is sponsored by Midwestern Oil and Gas.
The Classical Concert will hold on October 20 and will feature Manami Sano, Ulf Klausenitzer and Thomas Kanitz. It is sponsored by Etisalat. The Youth Concert comes up on October 24 and 12 finalists in the Musiquest competition will be performing. It is sponsored by Stanbic IBTC.
On October 25, which is the MUSON Day, there will be Latin American music, tango while a play, Echoes from the Lagoon by Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, will be staged on the October 26 and will narrate the current societal issues. The play will feature Nigerian movie stars such as Norbert Young, Joke Muyiwa, Ola Rotimi, Afeez Oyetoro (aka Saka) and many others. It is sponsored by Chevron. The festival will round off with The Gala Concert on October 27, sponsored by Total with performances from Victoria Oruwari, The MUSON symphony Orchestra and The MUSON Choir.
