13th October, 2016
Mr Emeka Nwokedi, Choir Director for the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), on Thursday said that Nigeria’s indigenous music had in the last 10 years won 15 international awards.
Nwokedi said this in Lagos that the performances of Nigeria’s indigenous music in China, Germany, U.S.,
Russia, Austria and other countries had won gold and silver medals for the country.
“Nigeria is today well known through the performances of the MUSON Diploma Choir and the Lagos City Chorale in some major cities across the world.
“We have in the last 10 years won gold and silver medals for our beloved country, Nigeria, through our performances in these great
cities.
“We have won laurels for Nigeria from our performances in International Cultural Festivals, Choir Olympics, Competitions and
World Conference for Music Education.
“Through these efforts, Nigerian indigenous music is gradually spreading to major towns and cities of the world with a trail of
positive image for Nigeria’s culture and the people,’’ he said.
The musicologist expressed satisfaction with Europeans, Russians, Chinese, Americans, Austrians and others high turnout for his Choir’s
display of Nigeria’s culture, customs and choreography in their countries.
He said that there was currently a growing preference for Nigeria’s music abroad because of its instrumentation and rhythmic nature.
Nwokedi, also the Music Director for the Lagos City Chorale, also said that the nation’s music was gradually fostering Nigeria’s relations and peaceful co-existence with other countries of the world.
The musicologist said that there was a growing interest of foreigners, especially Europeans, in different genres of Nigeria’s indigenous
music.
He also said that the choir’s performances abroad had always brought together Nigerians in the Diaspora, who would always rush to such
performances to cheer the Nigerian music performers.