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L-R: Mrs. Awuneba Ajumogobia, Arch Kitoy-Ibare Akinsan (Chairman Festival Planning Committee, Mr. Louis Mbanefo(SAN) Chairman MUSON Board of Trustees,Chief Olufemi Adeniyi-Williams Vice Chairman MUSON Board of Trustees, Engr Olanrewaju Phillips and Mrs. Joyce Ayoola Jafojo Chief Executive Officer
The Musical Society of Nigeria is gearing up to celebrate its 40th Anniversary at the Centre in Lagos.
The Planning Committee of the 2023 Musical Society of Nigeria Festival of the Arts has promised to celebrate the organisation’s 40th anniversary and its founding fathers under the theme “Resilience”. The festival is scheduled to commence on Friday, October 20, 2023 to Sunday, October 29.
Members of the Planning committee made this known during a briefing held at the MUSON Centre in Onikan, Lagos, to unveil details of the festival to the public.
The Chairman, Louis Mbanefo, said the theme would resonate with the staying power and progress of the center which has shown commitment to preserve the musical arts over the years in spite of challenges which has left a lifetime achievement and a showcase of what can be birthed by the Nigerian dream.
This year’s Festival line-up includes the celebration of Life of two founding fathers of the centre who recently passed on. Mr. Akintola Williams, who celebrated his 104th birthday on the 9th August, passed away on September 11, while Sir. Mervyn Brown, who celebrated his 100th birthday on September 24, passed away two days later.
The Chairman recalled that MUSON was formed by a group of friends, including Mr. Akintola Williams, Chief Ayo Rosiji (late), Mrs. Francesca Emanuel (late) and Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi (late.) and himself in 1983 with the main objective of promoting the performance, understanding and enjoyment of serious music.
“We tackled our objectives in two ways: first, we held concerts with regularity from 1984, with performances of the highest quality by Nigerian and expatriate performers. Secondly, we have developed two Schools of Music – the Basic School which provides musical education in the theory of performance of musical instruments for Nigerians of all ages, and the Diploma School. The latter runs a two-year course in theory and instrumental performance and has an annual intake of 30 advanced students who are all granted scholarships by the MTN Foundation.
“From humble beginnings, the School has now become a Diploma Awarding Institution which is accredited not only by the Ministry of Education, but also the music examination Board in England. The School has produced over 400 Diploma graduates, many of whom have continued their musical education in Europe, South Africa and America and attained international recognition. Most of our alumni have made and are making very impressive contributions to the musical life in Nigeria and indeed, the world. They have raised considerably the standard of singing and musical performance in churches, in schools and at social events. Indeed, many churches and musical societies throughout Nigeria are borrowing from the templates established by MUSON’’, Mbanefo explained.
The establishment of the centre had no doubt contributed immensely to integration, employment and has been a source of spiritual fulfilment over the years.
Speaking at a briefing, Mbanefo revealed highlighted expectations for this year while expressing gratitude to all the founding members and others who have supported the center all through the years. He attributed the success of the center to their contributions.
“There could be no doubt that training in classical music was an important discipline for our youth and a source of spiritual fulfillment, not to mention employment, throughout their lives and the contribution of the organization to societal development.
“The MUSON Choir, which has won gold medals at international competitions, travelled to Greece last year and performed to a distinguished audience. We have a Symphony Orchestra which is conducted in regular concerts by our visiting German maestro, Walter-Michael Vollhardt. We also have an opera department which has programmed highly acclaimed performances of many well-known international operas.
“In addition, the facilities in our beautiful and iconic centre are regularly hired by the artistic community for art exhibitions, drama productions, classical and jazz concerts, traditional music and dance, film premiers, literary events, as well as social and business events. Indeed, the MUSON project is one that all Nigerians should be proud of. It has demonstrated what can be achieved by Nigerians when we pool our resources, talents and energies towards a common goal.
“The founding fathers and mothers deserve the gratitude of the Nigerian Society for the very considerable sacrifice of their time and skills for no personal reward or gain”.
“Whereas the arts are heavily subsidized by governments in other parts of the world, the MUSON project has been funded entirely through generous donations by individuals and the major companies in Nigeria”.
The line-up of activities for the year will feature classic performances in drama, opera, art exhibitions, a gala concert and a collaboration of the old and new music infusion which will serve an highlight during the week-long and the MUSON Day concert geared towards harnessing the potential of the synergy between music and technology.
“The last item will feature a complete performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ with the MUSON choir and orchestra conducted by our indefatigable maestro, Emeka Nwokedi.
The main innovation in the festival will be ‘Collabo – Music Meets Technology.’ In MUSON, we are alive to the juxtaposition of classical music and contemporary music. The old and new genres are pitched together in concerts, the digital space and the internet, resulting in a fusion we have termed ‘Collabo’.
“At the end of the event, we hope to have created the requisite awareness of hidden gems in the confluence of music and technology,” he noted.
The festival promises a refreshing experience as it explores the potential of the synergy between music and technology.
