THE SOUND OF MUSIC

When high philosophical and political theories form the basis of an argument at the villa up the hill, and names of men who have made great impact in their various fields are mentioned; I am compelled to remain in a stealthy vault of oblivion and obscurity in order not to drag my area of interest into ridicule. The mere mention of the catastrophic words like membranophones, aerophones and idiophones is enough to send my course in to the mud, be subjected to obloquy and my very intellectual capability questioned. I know I can counteract their obnoxious misconceptions of music as a discipline; I always refrain from such situations because music incorporates the science of acoustics and harmony is one of its basic components, so why must I strain my self with people who are trying to create chaos from order?

This was a sentiment a friend of mine in level two hundred shared with me some time ago which struck a philosophical chord in me. And ever since, his little defense of music became a kind of song that haunted me any time I see him seated solemnly with his friends in front of school of performing arts playing drums and flutes of various sorts, I am forced to asses the immensity of neglecting our cultural values and the repercussions thereof.

I have been a great lover of music all my life and I still do despite my philosophical pretensions – it was philosophy, another discipline that is not only despised on campus but one is even sure to be treated as a venom, a poor academically weak person who shouldn’t have gained admission to the university at all. A favor by the authorities and students will taunt you forever on campus with the demented incubus of not securing a job. Nevertheless, philosophy was instrumental in explaining vague concepts to me and deepened my interest in music when I later found out that it has a correlation with science and this was even discovered in ancient times by the Pythagoreans.

The way students cast unfounded criticisms on certain things they are not interested in is unfortunate. They have the gut to question the validity and relevance of a course someone is pursuing with penchant interest because that is where he has realized he can excel. Yet, they fail to examine the strengths and weaknesses of their chosen field, compare it to others to see where theirs end and where other ones begin. They are even blind to the fact that all disciplines are interrelated and that it would be impossible and preposterous for one person


To master all. While not pretending to be master of all trades, why pick on the serious few who have taken the ones that you do not have the heart and courage and the intelligence to pursue?

My ritualized habit of taking a walk around campus at dusk gleaning philosophical musings and the wordless yet vociferous sounds of nature became more intimate when I developed a passionate ear for the music of nature. I bought a little flute, a banjo and a rattle and learnt how to play. When some of my course mates saw me they laughed and said that they knew I am up to some mischief. They said amidst giggles that I have created a new office somewhere and its not bad decorating there with my traditional musical instruments.

When there is a musical program to be held at the drama studio or any other thing pertaining to African culture, to be organized by school of performing arts, I not only make my self available before the scheduled time, but I make sure that I convince enough graduates and undergraduates alike to be at the traditional fiesta.

Most of my later poems were modeled to resound the ancient rhythms of Africa. And to my amazement I became friends to foreigners who were ready and prepared to learn what we have neglected for far too long. While black students of campus sprawl comfortably in their couches and listen to western music, the westerners busy themselves by playing drums and dancing to our tunes. Before long, they vanish to their various countries. So, the pertinent question is: were they learning it for the fun of it?


I went to school of performing arts one day to see my friend pursuing musicology. When I reached the main entrance, I met a young man whom I one time saw performing with my friend. I inquired about the whereabouts of my friend and he informed me that he was having lectures. I decided to wait for him. Whiles standing, a young man offered me a sit. I sat down and thanked the man who obviously saw the uncomfortable nature of my predicament. As I sat down waiting for my friend, I could hear the chatter of young undergraduates whom I learnt were also doing musicology.

I like Professor Ellison’s definition of music. One of the undergrads said. Sound and silence organized in time. Another one too is artful arrangements of sounds in time.

I was impressed. However, I was also saddened by the fact that these boys may have their interest in something else far from music and African culture but may have been forced to do it for academic reasons. As if to confirm my fears, one of the boys reiterated his conviction to change his course as soon as he gets to level two hundred.