Musical Society of Nigeria receives German instruments

The donation, which is valued at 19.5 million naira ($55 000), was expedited by Manuel Druminski, a musician affiliated with the Nigerian gospel music scene. The worth of the instruments puts the donation as one of the most generous support initiatives received by MUSON.

“We are very thrilled but the Germans have been very supportive of MUSON," the vice-chairman of the MUSON Centre, Louis Mbanefo, said. "Right from the inception of MUSON some 34 years ago, the German embassy has been very active through Goethe-Institut, which is the cultural arm of the embassy, and they have provided us with a lot of comfort with musicians coming from Germany. They have been extremely supportive and encouraging.

“Apart from the embassy, we have had the Germany School in Lagos; the musical director has also been very active in taking part in our concerts and other activities. In addition to that, we have had an artistic director from Germany, Thomas Kanitz. We also have a conductor from Germany, Mr Michael Vollhardt, who comes about three to four times a year to conduct the MUSON Orchestra. These are developments that we are happy about.”

Speaking about the cultural connection between Germany and Nigeria, the German consul-general in Lagos, Ingo Herbert said: “The German embassy has been a great supporter of MUSON for a long time”. He said that for its dedication to classical music, the institution required external support. He noted that classical music “gets a lot in Germany and the rest of Europe where there are rich infrastructures and public supports. Otherwise you would need private support and donation and this is really a field where we can boost relationship between the two countries."

The consul's donation marks the latest chapter in a decades-long relationship. It also opens a new page in Herbert's presence in the Nigerian music. Just last year, he was a guest of the MUSON Festival, where he spoke fondly of his time as a young man sneaking into opera venues. He also presided over the 2017 German Unity Day in Lagos. The celebration had 2Baba as the guest performer.

At the musical instrument presentation ceremony, Herbert commented on past and present figures in the Nigerian music industry. 

“Nigerians love concerts and go there. Music, whether it is jazz, hip-hop or classical, is a wonderful tool to connect people easily and show we all understand things as human beings. Nigerian music is danceable. In Berlin for example, Tekno is much more the style to dance. When it comes to contemporary music, Tekno is at the centre. He comes from a very industrial sound. Hip hop is much more relaxing to dance."

Included in the donation cache are violins, violas, spare parts, repair tools, maintenance kits and strings, among others.