Documentation and archiving of Apepe music performance at social events in secondary schools in Ogun East Senatorial District

Abstract

Performance of music is essential in any social event in Nigerian society, as music is a natural phenomenon that cuts across human life from cradle to grave , thereby being inevitable in naming, wedding, house warming ceremonies just to mention but a few. Its performance in any given society, apparently displays the culture, values, ethics, goals, norms, believe of the society. It is in this vein, the researcher considers school as a society where performance of music cannot be undermined, notwithstanding it is offered as an academic subject or not. The aim is to examine the functionality and performance practice of Apepe music in Ogun State Secondary Schools during social events which periodically, seasonally or occasionally happen in schools. To ascertain the social events celebrated in secondary schools, some issues are addressed: Who does the performance? Who are the instructors and what are the available musical instruments? This study adopted observation method and structured interview method to collect the primary data from the Eastern Senatorial District of Ogun state. Secondary data were also collated through library, journals, printed texts and the internet. The research findings exhume the importance and values of cultural heritage students imbibe through performance of their traditional music during schools’ social events. Students gain musical experience through performance practices. Selected Apepe music items are notated for archival purposes. In conclusion, the study revealed musical aesthetic values in secondary school students, which could launch them into professionalism in traditional art of singing. The study thereby recommends that educational stake-holders should see to implementing the policy on Cultural and Creative Arts to buttress and instill musical art tendencies in Nigerian students.