MIAConnects holds workshops in Chad

Ten participants from the two workshop then entered a residency programme where they collaborated and implemented their newly acquired knowledge. The 10 music professionals will now present the work they created at the 11th edition of the NdjamVi arts festival in the cities of N’Djamena and Koumra on 22 and 24 December respectively.

Stage and performance workshop

The training workshop on stage management and performance techniques brought together 12 young Chadian artists for five days.

The workshop, which was facilitated by musician Saintrick Mayitoukou and trainer Pierre Claver Mabiala, taught the participating musicians how to organise a stage performance by taking into account their unique musical identity as well as international standards.

The training covered stage presence, musical sequencing and arrangement, movement and body language as well as sound-check, backstage and rehearsal management.

Sound production workshop

Mayitoukou facilitated this 10-day workshop through topics such as the nature of sound, sound settings for shows, tools for various sound settings and how to compile a technical rider. Mayitoukou dedicated more time to the different sound settings required for music productions.

Ten self-taught technicians who participated in the workshop will now be able to work with different types of sound equipment. The expected outcome of the workshop is that the participants will be able to handle live sound production professionally and according to international standards.

Music creation residency

The aforementioned workshops were followed with a 15-day residency where participants from conflict regions in Chad were given preference to partake. Ten beneficiaries from the two workshops then worked together to write and produce four compositions that they will present at the NdjamVi festival where about 5 000 people are expected to attend. The participants had to take into account social issues such as civic behaviour, peace, sanitation and the role of women in urban development.

About MIAConnects

MIAConnects is a multi-faceted music development initiative aiming to support the musical sectors of African countries affected by conflict. The project is implemented by the Music In Africa Foundation together with partners in seven focus countries, namely Chad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria (North), Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. It is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office and Siemens Stiftung.

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