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In a glittering evening of harmonies and accolades, Oladapo Okunmuyide, one of Nigeria’s best musicians, swept two major categories at the 2023 Nigerian Choral Music Awards held on April 6, 2024, in Lagos.
The awards ceremony, which celebrated the very best in Nigeria’s choral music scene, saw Okunmuyide named Best Organist and the Choral Director of the Year, a rare double achievement. His acclaimed choir, the New Wine Ensemble, also emerged victorious in the Mixed Choir category. The event, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, had 18 categories.
The Nigerian Choral Music Awards, organized annually to recognize excellence in choral performance, featured dozens of nominees from across the country. Winners were selected through a combination of public voting and a panel of expert adjudicators.
Okunmuyide has consistently made an impact in the choral art industry as an outstanding organist and choirmaster, composer, renowned trainer, and the founder and music director of the prestigious New Wine Ensemble. As a demonstration of his artistry, leadership, and vision, Oladapo led New Wine Ensemble to win a diploma at the 10th World Choir Games in South Africa with over 300 Choirs from about 50 countries in attendance.
Founded in 2002 in Abeokuta, New Wine Ensemble has become a respected choir around the world, known for its expressive tonal blend, artistic interpretation, choral discipline, precise intonation and African cultural reflection. Under Okunmuyide’s baton, the group has performed internationally, trained many young voices, and maintained a vision of choral music as a force for community, excellence, and national pride. The choir’s highlight is the ‘White Christmas Festival’, hosted by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, former President of Nigeria, which is held annually in Abeokuta.
This recent success follows New Wine Ensemble’s 1st Prize win at the 2023 Ogun Choir Festival held in Sagamu, Ogun State, and sponsored by Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The choir beat 7 other choirs to clinch the ₦2 million top award.
Oladapo has leveraged the family legacy of musicianship and has continuously developed his craft.
He is currently pursuing his second master’s degree in music, specializing in choral conducting in the United States, after an initial master’s degree in music theory and composition.
