The Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, will today host the maiden edition of the Madam Victoria Gbenuade Fashanu African Traditional Music Memorial Masterclass, bringing together scholars, students and practitioners of indigenous music.
The event, organised in collaboration with the Department of Music, is part of activities marking the Graduate Students’ Welcome Day at the institute. It is also aimed at celebrating the legacy of Madam Victoria Gbenuade Fashanu while encouraging deeper engagement with African traditional music traditions.
According to the organisers, the programme will feature two major segments.
The first session, a masterclass, is scheduled to hold from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Drapers Hall, where renowned traditional musicians Musiliu Haruna Ishola and Abideen Yusuf Olatunji will share practical and scholarly insights into indigenous musical traditions.
The second segment will take place later in the day with a musical performance from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the courtyard of the Institute of African Studies. The performance will also celebrate the institute’s IAS Distinguished Fellows and showcase traditional music genres such as Àpàlà and Sákárà.
The event will be hosted by the Director of the Institute of African Studies, Professor Sola Olorunyomi, alongside the Head of the Department of Music, T. O. Owoaje.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor J. T. Arotiba, will serve as the Chairman, while the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, will attend as Chief Host. Francis Gbenga Fashanu is expected as the Guest of Honour.
