Nigeria will today join over 125 countries to mark World Music Day. It is a day that celebrates all things related to music. World Music day originated in France and first took place in Paris in 1982. Since then, the idea has spread across the globe -for a world without music will have no meaning to many.
World Music Day was created by the Former French Minister of Culture, Jack Lang, after Maurice Fleuret, the Director of Music and Dance, discovered in a study that one in two persons played one musical instrument or the other. Mr Lang, therefore, began to dream of a way to bring people to act music on the streets.
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. It is also designed to act as a platform to encourage armatures and professional musicians to express their talent and showcase their versatility.
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. Noise is anything that discomforts, disturbs and infringes on 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. As we know, musicians are great thinkers, who discuss ideas and not people. They make their compositions emotionally and spiritually acceptable, capable of bringing relief, quietness of mind and happiness to people.
Different organizations and persons use music for different purposes. Advertisers use music to promote their goods and services convincingly. Christians use music to spread the gospel and praise God. 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 Reverend 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 acts whose works are inspirational and thought provoking.
It is suggested that any music that is immoral or has offensive remarks is noisy and therefore, should be banned to serve as a deterrent to erring music writers and composers. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other music regulatory bodies should censor all music, before their circulation.
Music is a part of life. It is the key that opens all doors. According to Saint Augustine, “He who sings well, prays twice”. Ludwig van Beethoven, a classical music composer said, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy”.
Importantly, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State should be commended for including Entertainment in the ministry of Culture and Tourism. This has created the enabling environment for the entertainment industry to thrive in Anambra State.
Music is divine, therefore, be part of this year’s World Music Day and let us celebrate the Universal language of all. 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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