Tomorrow, Nigeria will join the global community to commemorate the World Music Day. It is celebrated every June twenty-first and originated in France in 1982. Since then, the idea has spread across the globe, for a world without music will have no meaning to many.
The purpose of World Music Day is to promote music by organizing concerts and events which are free to the public with a non-profit making objective, as well as to make all types of music accessible to the public.
Philosophers define music as a systematic organization of sounds in order to make a complete unit, which is pleasing to the ear, for if sound is not organized, it becomes noise. Besides, noise is anything that discomforts, disturbs and infringes an effective communication. Music is, therefore, a means by which people can share emotions, intentions and meanings, even though their spoken languages may be mutually incomprehensible.
Music can be used to influence people positively or negatively and can produce profound emotions within them. It can also generate variations of expressiveness by skilled composers and performers. Musicians, no doubt, are great thinkers, who discuss ideas and not people. They should therefore make their compositions emotionally and spiritually acceptable, capable of bringing relief, quietness of mind and happiness to people.
No wonder different organizations and persons use music for different purposes. Advertisers use music to promote their goods and service convincingly. Christians use gospel music to praise Almighty God in truth and in spirit. Others use traditional or cultural music to promote their language and culture, while some use secular music for entertainment.
However, no matter who writes, composes or performs music, it should be used to tune the spirit of people positively. By virtue of being a powerful means of communication, lyrics of any music and its spoken language should be critically examined and the message designed to educate, inform and entertain. Writers, Composers and Performers of all types of music should always pray for divine inspiration so that their music and performances will be generally accepted by their audience.
Musicians should not rush into music production for material gains only, but should be mindful of the fact that, if God has endowed one with a certain talent, one should use it to spread happiness, win souls for God and better the society.
Today’s musicians should emulate the likes of late Chief Stephen Osita Osadebe, late Sonny Okosun, the famous gospel music artists like Voice of the Cross, Late Rev. Patty Obasi, the old Oriental Brothers, Chief Morocco Maduka of Blessed Memory, Bright Chimezie, Late Bob Marley and a lot of other local and international musicians, whose works are inspirational, thought provoking & generally accepted.
It is suggested that any music that is immoral or has offensive remarks is noisy and therefore, should be banned to serve as deterrent to erring music writers and composers. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other music regulatory bodies should censor all music before their circulation. This will help curb immoral behavior in our society.
Music is a part of life. It is the key that opens all doors. According to Saint Augustine, “He who sings well, prays twice” and Shakespeare added that “If music be the food of life, play on and give me excess of it”.
Besides, Governor Willie Obiano, a music enthusiast, should be commended for bringing together the Pop starts of the 70’s in 2017, to appreciate them for their creative contributions to the happiness of the people and the growth of the economy.
Be part of this year’s World Music Day and let us celebrate the Universal language of music. Collaborate with friends and colleagues to make people happy through music and musical concerts. In agreement with this year’s theme, music in the intersections, let music be part of everything you do.
Let the music play on, but let it be good music
WRITTEN BY EZE ONWUJI
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