An Appraisal of the Evolution of Western Art Music in Nigeria
[Thesis]
Holland, Agatha Onyinye
Koehler, Hope
West Virginia University
2020
87 p.
D.M.A.
West Virginia University
2020
Nigeria has greatly evolved as an intercultural society given her history of colonization, the influence of foreign religion (Christianity and Islam, primarily) and the impact of globalization. Africa had her socio-cultural practices and art idioms before these foreign influences. For instance, music existed in everyday Africa as part of culture, religion, vocation, and drama. However, music never existed as an entity on its own. The culture of stage performers and audience never existed. This status quo changed with the introduction of Western art music through Christianity and education by the missionaries; since then, music assumed a bi-cultural status. This research document will highlight key influences on the history of classical music in Nigeria. It will explore some evolutionary impacts and some transitional phases that contributed to the current state of Western art music in Nigeria.