Self-Devpt. Nuggets™

Photo: My 3 sons pose for a photo with the musician – Beautiful Nubia – just after completing their 3 hour FREE Music Workshop session at his EniObanke Arts Centre at the Ikeja-GRA premises. They were taught rudiments of percussion (agogo, shekere, etc.), talking drum, rhythm guitar, bass guitar etc by experienced musicians and teachers.

Many years back, I read about the massive educational benefits that early exposure to the study of music can have on kids.

Elaborate research evidence abounds that shows a high correlation between early music training and brain development.

Apart from improved critical thinking skills, early music education has been shown to result in kids having larger vocabularies, superior reading skills, and a series of other unique abilities.

As I have told those who asked me, my intention is NOT to push my kids into music as a profession. If it happens that they choose to follow that route however, I will support them.

However, my main purpose is to expose them to intelligent music making so they can reap the above described benefits.

This is especially important in a society like ours. Most of our local artistes have little or no formal music training – and only few know anything about songwriting, which is why so many turn out songs with watery lyrics.

Artistes like Beautiful Nubia are trained in these areas, and make music that is designed to impact society. They reflect on their environment and write songs that are both edifying and entertaining. Those are the kinds of musicians I wish my kids to learn from.

I had to visit my kids’ school to get permission from the Principal to take the kids away for the day they had to attend the workshop.

It was a school day, and they even had tests going on. But I have always known that real world education must be incorporated into schooling that one gives kids. So, it is just as important. The principal and I found we agreed on this, and he enthusiastically assured me there would be no problems, promising to inform the teachers for each of my son’s classes.

The kids had a great time. I dropped them off and went to find a cafe to carry on with my work. By the time they called me that they were done, I got back too later to see them playing – but Beautiful Nubia told me he was impressed by their enthusiasm.

We talked a bit more, with him giving me tips on how to choose the right size and type of Rhythm guitar to buy for them.

Then he reminded them that they could come around during the week for more lessons (free) and also that the forthcoming Grand Concert would take place on Sunday – and entry for kids is free.

If you are a parent, I suggest you consider taking your kids down to the concert.

Related Articles

1.11 Facts About Music Education

2. The Benefits of Music Education (PDF from The Royal Conservatory)

3. 10 Ways music benefits children

4. Twelve Benefits of Music Education

Photo 2: We stop for ice cream and snacks after leaving the workshop venue

Photo 3: We stop for ice cream and snacks after leaving the workshop venue

Below: Flyer for the Grand Concert