If there is one thing students of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) are known for, it is rendering superlative musical performances, but they have taken it up a notch as two of their star students, Kehinde Oretimenyi and Perpetual Atife took part in two awesome musicals; Saro and Wakaa, both of international repute.
Kehinde Oretimenyi who is also called SK-Ore studied Voice Major and presently lectures Remedial Theory & African Music at the MUSON centre where he finished from along with Perpetual Atife, with stage name Pepe a recording and performing artiste, are products of the 10-year partnership between MUSON and the MTN Foundation.
According to Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation, the foundation exists to make life brighter by inspiring, transforming and empowering societies it operates in. “This is why we go above and beyond to ensure we provide valuable opportunities to enable our future generation soar and reach greater heights. Thank you to MUSON for partnering with us to make this a reality”, Okoro explained.
Though SK-Ore was already teaching music before he joined the scheme, he was not regarded as a music scholar as he was not certified. All that changed when he became part of the MTNF programme, which had a huge impact on his career because MUSON is known and people associate with it.
“When I finished here as the best MTNF graduating scholar in 2006, I got calls from all over the world. I got so many job offers, including a call from Ghana art magazine and I began writing for them; I had my own column for about two years.”
Pepe is in love with the saxophone and a master at it, though she also plays the guiltier. “It has become part of me and people are happy when I play the instrument”, she said as this gives her satisfaction. Though Pepe releases some of her works periodically, professionally she is the membership and events, manager at MUSON.
Her music journey became serious and more productive 10 years ago when she came across the programme where she got the best training ever and now feels empowered. “I feel like I have been given a gift that the world needs to see, I have been given something special because this is not anything I can get anywhere”.
“I got great teachers, books, and everything paid for. When I perform I hear people say they can identify something about Pepe on stage, and everything happened when I got the scholarship,” she explained.
Both Pepe and SK-Ore were involved in Wakaa and Saro musicals, which held in London. “MTN Y’ello colour is like a sun that doesn’t need to announce itself. I think it started with my consistency and continuous improvement in the field. I was good, I could write songs. Ayo Ajayi who also was my colleague in MUSON was the first musical director of Wakaa and Saro in London. He needed songs at that time and I had lots of songs on my achievement list.
“He used them and then as my friend and colleague he called me to be in the cast. I was going to the studio helping out with the production at the oriental hotel in 2013 when they started.
“After the first show, I was drafted in fully as an assistant music director and the official songwriter for Bolanle Austen Peter’s production. This time around, I was called upon to be the musical director for Fela and the Kalakuta Queens. The truth is that when you are loaded you will be needed and you will never be stranded,” he said.
Pepe was a band member of Wakaa and Saro and credits MTNF for it because apart from the empowerment, it allows one to meet people, network with industry leaders and great minds within the industry and beyond.
“I meet Ayo Ajayi who played a major part in my growth and through him, I was shortlisted into the production because he wanted a saxophonist and I was available for the London shows; Wakaa and Saro. I think it all started with MTNF because they empower you beyond your musical carrier”.
SK-Ore said people have a misconception that the industry is for people who could not survive more serious professions and that it is meant for lazy people, “Until you become the Pete Edoche and Kulne Afolayan of arts. But I believe with time this will settle up.”
Consistency actually pays, said SK-Ore. “For wakaa and Saro I was not so involved, I was just like a sideliner, but I was consistent and active. I had to do some online training and some other basic courses. I raised money and I went to London Academics of Music & Dramatic Art, LAMDA. So for those out there, I will say you should be consistent and believe in your dreams.”
For Pepe, the MTNF’s involvement in her growth as an artist, and in the Nigerian arts and culture industry as a whole is a big one. “The fact that I have grown in the profession makes me feel special and great.”
Apart from performance, managing production is another activity Pepe is actively involved in because she is committed to processes. She is currently producing events with plans to write and do public production for the youths.
Since Pepe got involved with MTNF, she has had no reason to look at any other contributor or enabler because what MTN is doing in the art and culture space is incredible. “There is nothing as good as teaching people how to fish. We are hoping that someday MTN would make us brand ambassadors.”
SK-Ore who is also a sports lover believes that if other companies can imbibe the culture of growing younger generations in the arts and culture space, the industry would grow exponentially.
Obviously, SK-Ore and Pepe’s participation in the scheme opened doors for them and others in the industry, giving them the leverage and backup needed.
“Looking at some of us from MUSON, we are now music directors, entertainers, voice trainers, instructors among others. There is no art and culture event in Lagos that you will not see MTNF MUSON alumni as a part of it,” SK-Ore said.
Marion Akpata, the director, Musical Society of Nigeria, is grateful to MTNF for supporting the institution, being its backbone and one of its major benefactors, with 9 sets of graduates to show for it.
“In 2006 we had no plan of performing at the birthday celebration of the Queen of England or playing for the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government. Everything we have achieved in these past years we owe to the support of our donors and the dedication of the team.
“Recently, a YouTube recording of the North Texas University Choir, performing Nigerian folk songs that originally emanated from MUSON is another happy testimony of our great strides and we hope to keep improving.”
Right now, preparations by the MUSON students are in top gear for a superlative Appreciative Donor Concert for the MTN Foundation, billed to hold December 4, 2017, at the MUSON Centre, as they close out years 2017.
MTNF currently sponsors the highly competitive MUSON Scholars programme which endows talented students with a grant to study music at the prestigious institution. The scholarship has provided several indigent students with talent in music, an opportunity to acquire qualitative music education.
Mabel Dimma
