Music documentation and archiving as viable instruments of information transfer towards sustainable national development

Abstract

Music as an integral part of every human activity is an embodiment of socio-musical and historical facts. Those facts are documented and archived orally, and in written or unwritten forms to be retrieved and transmitted to the succeeding generations as reference materials when and where they are needed. As such, for any continent, nation, state, town, kindred, family or organization to maintain a stable development, there must be smooth transfer and/or handover of the records of past and present events. Such events enlighten and alert the beneficiaries positively as they use them to learn from evaluated experiences. However, music with its broad areas (traditional, western, popular) and the messages/information they carry, is not given the required and appropriate attention and recognition in the homes, schools, colleges, universities and the society at large to perform this important task. The task involves documenting, archiving and transmitting cultural, social, political, economic, religious and historical backgrounds of the people. This paper, therefore, examined the viability of music in storing and transmitting knowledgeable facts that would improve the growth and development of the nation’s economy and general welfare. The study also briefly investigated music documentation and archives in the pre-colonial, colonial, post-colonial, up to this 21st century periods. The methodology adopted for data collection included the applied library, oral interview, internet facilities and practical experiences from the classroom and lecture halls. From the investigations and findings, suggestions and recommendations were given to upgrade music documentation and archives to enhance sustainable growth and development of the nation. Thus, music itself documents.