Poor accessibility of the works of Nigerian composers: a dearth of documentation, cataloguing and archival of Nigerian art musical practices

Abstract

When we see musical compositions with the number K102 after Ludwig von Kὄchel who catalogued Mozart’s music, or BVW82 after Bach – Werke – Verzeichnis which means Bach Work Catalogue, it is a clear evidence that the works of numerous Western composers have been formally and officially catalogued for easy access and for posterity. Perhaps this process of documenting and archiving or cataloguing Western music compositions is the reason why up till today, departments of music in Nigerian institutions of learning easily lay hands on music pieces by western composers both in their teachings and general practical music performances, and so on. The same applies to various choral groups found in the country, whereas it is difficult to access works of Nigerian composers. This is happening even now that music education in Nigeria is getting a century old. Does it mean that Nigeria and indeed Africa on the larger perspective have not  produced enough composers whose works can be relevant materials for teaching, singing, playing and general musical practices?  through library research, investigations and personal contacts, this researcher is able to discover that Nigeria has gotten enough composers with numerous compositions in different musical areas and genres that are capable of providing the material needs of students, teachers and researchers in our institutions of learning and especially in having enough music repertory for various performances. However, the major problem faced by these bodies is that of accessing these numerous materials due to their unavailability posed by improper or sheer absence of archiving and documentation policy of Nigerian musical practices. The paper concludes by suggesting among others, the establishment of a proper archiving and documentation framework for all classes and genres of Nigerian art music.