ACU, CHOPIN hold church music seminar June 29

Ajayi Crowther University (ACU) in partnership with Church Organ Project In Nigeria (CHOPIN) will be holding a three-day seminar/workshop on church music from June 29 to July 1, 2017 at the school premise in Oyo State.

Vice Chancellor of the Institute, Professor Dapo Asaju, disclosed that the need to reawaken the history of the institute by bringing back church music is what has given birth to the workshop. Asaju stated that it is in the history of the institute to have church music in its curriculum.

“Church music is a ministry and a tool for evangelism to get people into the path of God and get them back to worship. If you look at the wordings of some of the hymns we have in those days, they are so loaded and they are so strong as far as the Christian conviction is concerned.

We still sing them hundreds of years after the composers are gone. So for us as a Christian university, collaborating with Church Organ Projects In Nigeria (CHOPIN), we must bring back the glory of church music.”

His words: “Back then, church music was compulsory for everyone that went through this institution. Everyone must learn how to play musical instrument and how to sing in the choir and so we had a heritage that had died which we are trying to bring back.”

He further stated that it is in lieu of this, the Centre for Church Music Divinity and Anglican which has been approved by the senate was established to train clergymen, choirmasters, organists and pianists.

Speaking on why they have chosen to partner with CHOPIN, Registrar of the institute, Mrs Adenike Fatogun, stated that the search for the best was what made them choose CHOPIN.

“We have to go for the best and CHOPIN is synonymous with Church organ projects in Nigeria with experiences spanning over 15 years and, as a matter of fact, CHOPIN had actually equipped a lot of our churches. Moreso, he is also an Anglican and so being a member of the family he will be able to deliver it well. That is why we are partnering with them. We are leaving no stone unturned,” she said.

On who can participate in the workshop, Fatogun said the workshop and the centre is open to all and sundry who are interested in church music.

“The workshop promises to be remarkable as topics like the role of priests/ choirmaster and organist in worship service, difference between church music and music in the church, organ prelude and postlude; a must in the church, choosing hymns and chants for all seasons and community hymns singing will all be treated.”

Seasoned and accomplished facilitators like Professor Adetunji Vidal, Mr James Adekunle, Mr Yinka Sowole, Mr Sina Ojemuyiwa, Sir Olusegun George and a host of others are also going to be in attendance to train participants.

The Ajayi Crowther University certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of the seminar.