All is set for the 2024 edition of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Festival, a cultural event with a rich history taking place from October 13 to 17 at the MUSON Center in Onikan, Lagos.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Muson President Louis Mbanefo spoke about the highlights and itinerary of the two-week “Revival” themed festivities.
In particular, Mbanefo said that since 1983, when he and a group of friends, including the late Akintola Williams, Ayo Rosiji, Francesca Emanuel and Rasheed Gbadamosi, founded MUSON to promote the understanding and enjoyment of serious music, the vision original has been sustained.
To this end, Mbanefo said, over the past three years, the festival themes have been Resurgence (celebrating our emergence from the COVID pandemic), Resilience (celebrating the 40th anniversary of the founding of MUSON) and now Revival (anticipating the revitalization of MUSON). despite the adverse trends in the Nigerian economy.
As is tradition, this year's festival will feature an art exhibit, a musical brunch, theater, a MUSON Day concert (celebrating MUSON's birthday), a jazz night, My Kind of Music (a symposium of music and technology (Collabo)) and a Musiquest. Children's competition, offering a wide range of events to satisfy the tastes of all music enthusiasts.
In addition, there will be two different operatic productions and the final Gala Concert will feature a full performance of Joseph Haydn's Oratorio “The Creation” with the MUSON Choir and Orchestra conducted by Maestro Emeka Nwokedi.
Previews of the MUSON 2024 Festival program
In addition to performing concerts regularly since 1984, Mr Mbanefo, a senior Nigerian advocate, said MUSON has made significant contributions to the music industry by establishing two Music Schools: the Basic School, which provides music education in theory and interpretation of musical instruments. instruments for Nigerians of all ages and the Diploma School.
Article page with financial support promotion
He said: ''From its humble beginnings, the school has become a diploma awarding institution accredited by the Ministry of Education and has produced over 500 diploma graduates. Many of our graduates have continued their musical education in Europe, America and South Africa and have achieved international recognition. Most of our alumni have made and are making impressive contributions to musical life in Nigeria and indeed the world. They have considerably raised the standards of singing and musical performance in churches, schools and social events. In fact, many churches and musical societies across Nigeria borrow from the models set by MUSON.”
He also noted that the Society is the proud owner of the MUSON Choir, which has won gold medals in international competitions, and of a Symphony Orchestra, conducted in regular concerts by our German maestro Walter-Michael Vollhardt.
He said: ''Our opera department has programmed highly acclaimed performances of many well-known international operas under the able direction of John Lucien Eclou. Additionally, our beautiful and iconic Center facilities are regularly engaged by the arts community for classical music concerts, art exhibitions, dramatic productions, jazz concerts, traditional music and dance, film premieres, literary events, and social and business events. . While the arts are heavily subsidized by governments in other parts of the world, the MUSON project has been funded entirely through generous donations from individuals and major Nigerian companies.''