Stakeholders Seeks Govt Involvement In Classical Music

By Vivian Okejeme

Government at all levels have been asked to invest more in classical music, so as to have more Nigerians on the world stage.

The Acting Director, Nigerian Army Band Corp, Lt. Col. Michael Toriola and the Founder and Executive Director of Abba Music School and Studio, Abuja, Mrs Nana Gbolahan, Organiser of the annual Classical Music performance night in Abuja, tagged: Symphony and Belcanto, who both spoke at the event said the music is now thriving in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

According to them, there is need for both government and private organisations to invest in Classical Musicians from primary to tertiary institution so as to catch those interested in the music young.

Lt. Col. Toriola said, “It depends on the area you are looking at it from, Clasical music has its own audience and its audience patronize it anyday, anytime, so, it can’t be on the decline.

“Entertainment has a different vibe and when it comes to classical music, it’s a difficult and technical area of music that not everyone goes into. When you look at it from the government perspective, if you are not music oriented, you may not look into that direction but for the private organisation and private schools, they are doing so much to encourage classical music.

“Classical music is good, it is accepted by those who love it. Schools, from primary to tertiary institutions are encouraging it and are doing so well to discover talents in the country.

“As a matter of fact, the music is doing so well in the country and in Africa generally. Classical music has its own audience and if you are not a scholar, you might not understand what classical music is all about.

“For the country to continue to thrive in classical music, you must catch them young, so that their imterest could be further developed in that area of music”.

Mrs Gbolahan, on her part said Classical music is not something we are quite familiar with in this part of the world adding that Nigeria has the, potentials to produce talents that will go on to the world stage and win laurels.

She said to achieve this, government involvement is needed.

Mrs Gbolahan said, “I feel that as Nigerians and Africans, we possess the propencity to actually do exceedingly well in Classical music. You know as Nigerians, we do well anywhere we find ourselves and I know with Classical music, we can excel and exceed and even do much better than the people who thought they brought the Classical music.

“Government involvement is needed in classical music and in every other area because government is for the people, so, anything that concerns your people, particularly, those things that will benefit them, government should be involved. If there is anything that will make your people smarter, more intelligent and bring them to the world stage, why wouldn’t the government invest in it”.