MUSIC THERAPY IN NIGERIA

 

Music Therapy in Nigeria by DJ Irawo

Music therapy is the clinical use of music to remedy medical problems.

Music therapists use music to creatively help their clients address social, emotional or physical difficulties via listening, singing, dancing and composing music.

The purpose of music therapy is not to teach clients how to sing or play a musical instrument but to communicate with them through music especially where words fail in order to support them and facilitate positive changes in their behaviour, communication and wellbeing.

Clients who need music therapy services include children and adults of all ages either as individuals or in groups and who are affected by injuries, illnesses, disabilities and challenges.

These clients may suffer from the following challenges or illnesses:

1.   Addiction
2.   Autism
3.   Dementia
4.   Down Syndrome
5.   Cerebral Palsy
6.   Alzheimer
7.   Addiction
8.   Brain injury
9.   Stroke
10.          Mental Illness such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts

11. Childbirth, etc
 

Benefits of Music Therapy

1.   It can help improve confidence, independence, concentration and communication skills.

2.   Different styles of music can have a significant effect on a person’s mood very quickly by helping clients to experience and process a wide range of emotions such as excitement, sadness, calmness, happiness and thoughtfulness.

3.   It can be used to communicate with clients where words are impossible or not enough.
4.   It enables clients to express themselves in a creative way.
5.   It introduces clients to different cultures as different genres of music can be enjoyed during a music therapy session.
6.   Learning and practising a piece of music can improve memory skills, coordination, reading, comprehension and arithmetical skills.
7.   Music helps in the activation and development of the brain. The pitch, tempo, rhythm, melody and lyrics are processed by different areas of the brain.
 
For instance,
· The cerebellum processes the rhythm
· The frontal lobes decode the emotional signals created by the music
· A small portion of the temporal lobe helps understand the pitch of music
· The frontal lobes decode the emotional signals created by the music
· The nucleus accumbens can produce strong physical signs such as goose pimples when it hears powerful music.
8.   It is used to support talk therapy and medicinal diagnosis.
9.   It is not a cure for depression and other illnesses. However, it offers short-term and long-term benefits that can enable a client to cope with his or her current medical condition.

10. Music can help bring back good memories that will relax a client. Songs that bring back bad memories are discontinued.

How to Become a Music Therapist

The title of MUSIC THERAPIST is a title protected by law and can only be used by registered practitioners.
 

This law does not apply to Nigeria as it is a new career here.

For now, the rendering of my music therapy service is based on my musical talent, mental health experience and research.
 
Currently, there are no music therapy schools at the diploma and degrees levels in Nigeria and there are less than ten music therapists in Nigeria.

These music therapists had to study the course outside of Nigeria and join foreign professional bodies to boost their knowledge in this profession.

However, music therapy has been included as part of the courses taught in the Music Psychology Graduate Degree Program and also as an elective course for the Master of Music Education students at the Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos.

 
Music therapy is practised by health and music professionals in other countries including South Africa.
 
To become a music therapist in the United Kingdom, one must be registered with the Health and Care Council (HCPC). This involves completing professional training at the postgraduate level at one of the following institutions approved by the HCPC:
 
1.     Anglia Ruskin University
2.     Guildhall School of Music & Drama
3.     Nordoff Robbins - course validated by Goldsmiths, University of London
4.     Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
5.     University of Derby
6.     University of Roehampton
7.     University of South Wales
8.     University of the West of England, Bristol

Graduates from these programs are eligible for HCPC registration. 

Once qualified, one can also join the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) as a practitioner member.

Courses last for two years (full time) and three to four years (part-time). Clinical placements form part of the training and cover a range of work settings and client groups.

A music therapy student will need a high level of practical musicianship, personal and interpersonal skills to get on a training course.

Even if you do not have a first degree in music, you may be considered if your degree is in another health-related or social work course such as psychology, sociology or guidance and counselling as long as you can show proficiency in musical performance.

An equivalent professional qualification or extensive experience in a related field may also be acceptable.

If you do not have a degree, you will have to prove that you have the necessary academic skills to work at master’s level.

The application process includes a written application, an interview and an audition.

However, individual music therapy schools may have different entry requirements.

In addition, you may need to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

This is an executive non-departmental public body that is established and empowered to help organizations make safer recruitment decisions by conducting checks on an individual’s criminal record.

I have a degree in accounting and a certificate in music. I do not qualify to study music therapy and I am not ready to do any first degree anymore or master's anymore. 

I just want to make money!!!!

Cost of Studying Music Therapy 

To study music therapy in the United Kingdom, be ready to spend at least €18,350 on tuition excluding the cost of accommodation, food, clothing, books, stationery, personal hygiene, telephone, travel, socializing and miscellaneous costs.  

Skills Required to be a Music Therapy

1. Communication skills to liaise with other medical and educational professionals, parents, relatives and care workers.
2. Personal maturity and emotional stability to deal with challenging situations.
3. Ability to empathize with clients of all ages and with wide-ranging needs.
4. Flexibility and adaptability - sessions cannot be rigidly pre-planned as you need to respond to the needs of your client.
5. Patience - music therapy is not exclusively results-based and progress may be slow
6. Respect for client’s confidentiality
7. A high level of self-reflection and self-awareness
9. If working in private practice, you will also need business and administration skills.

 
Salary of a Music Therapist

A music publisher in the United States earns between $31,000 and $152, 000 per annum. 

So, what is stopping you from becoming a music therapist?

Let me know in the comment section.

Musically yours,

DJ Irawo

AFRIMA 2021: CALENDAR UNVEILING EVENT BY AU

 

AU UNVEILS THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR AFRIMA 2021...Call for entries starts on June 28 at 12.00noon (CAT).

The African Union, in partnership with the International Committee of the All African Music Awards, AFRIMA, has formally unveiled the calendar of events for the upcoming 2021 edition of the awards ceremony. 

The unveiling event took place at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 23, 2021.

The unveiling activity marks the formal opening of AFRIMA 2021 and features a line-up of undertakings and events that would take place between June 20 and November 21, 2021.

Speaking on behalf of the African Union, the Director of health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Cisse Mariama Mohamed, noted that "The COVID pandemic resulted in multiple setbacks for the continent but AFRIMA is committed to uniting the continent through entertainment and honouring the tradition of celebrating the scintillating musical culture of Africa by featuring exhilarating Pan-Africa events through the lifespan of the calendar year in 2021 and we are looking forward to celebrating the richness of the African continent alongside AFRIMA in November this year".

According to a document signed by Mrs Mohamed, the submission of entries marks the first official event of the 2021 AFRIMA calendar and officially opens globally on www.afrima.org to African music professionals either living on the continent or in the diaspora from Monday, June 28 by 12:00noon Central African Time (CAT) and closes on Friday, August 20, 2021.

Further details on entry submission guidelines are available on the AFRIMA website (www.afrima.org).

The submission of songs and videos must be produced or released under the year in review i.e. June 1, 2020 to August 20, 2021. 

African music artistes, managers, producers, record label owners, recording companies, video directors, Disc Jockeys, Choreographers/dancers and International acts are eligible to submit their works or submit on behalf of their clients via the official AFRIMA website www.afrima.org for a possible nomination in one or more of the forty (40) categories of AFRIMA.

Other activities slated on the calendar includes a 'Pre-Screening process where submitted entries will go through a screening carried out by the Screening Committee of AFRIMA. 

The screening process would be done within the period of August 21 to 28 2021 after which the International Jury of AFRIMA comprising a 13-man panel of experienced, respected African music experts and practitioners will carry out the AFRIMA Adjudication process from August 29th to September 6th.

The Adjudication process involves the International jury members carefully and painstakingly assessing and selecting the very best amongst submitted entries to occupy the AFRIMA 2021 Nominees' List. 

On completion, a 'World Media Announcement of AFRIMA 2021 Nominees' List' will take place on September 7th to publicly unveil the African artists and works by Africans in Africa and the diaspora that has been nominated.

On September 8, the AFRIMA Academy as well as African music fans and followers around the globe begin to participate in the 'AFRIMA Public Voting' process to be conducted on www.afrima.org during which the 2021 nominees will receive votes that could lead them to emerge winners in the various categories of the awards. 

The voting process, which closes 24 hours before the main awards ceremony would be monitored and audited by a reputable International Auditing Firm.

Finally, the main awards ceremony, set to hold from November 18th to November 2021 in the host city, features a three-day fiesta of music, glamour, Afrocentrism and entertainment. 

The event commences with the Welcome Soiree followed by the AFRIMA Music Village, the Host City Tour, the Africa Music Business Summit and the exclusive Nominees Party and concluded with the live Awards Ceremony.

Fans of African music globally can follow along and take part in the AFRIMA 2021 events on social media, live stream on the AFRIMA website, the AFRIMA App and by tuning to over eighty-four television stations which are AFRIMA partners.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, (AUC), All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is the pinnacle of African music awards globally. 

AFRIMA is a music and cultural initiative developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical heritage of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African culture and artistic legacy for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling the attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.

- AFRIMA 

KINIUN DE by Yetunde Are

 

shuzia.com

SONG REVIEW

The intro is catchy.

The outro is good.

The rhythm is pronounced.

The melody is tuneful.

The lead vocal is clear, powerful, confident and expressive.

The backup vocals are clear and soulful.

The lyrics are simple and inspiring.

The musical accompaniments are varied.

The songwriting skill is competent.

The recording and production qualities are balanced.

The performance is skillful.

Yetunde Are is a professional.

I rate this song 10/10.

Click on Kiniun De to listen and download this beautiful song.

Watch the performance of this song on Facebook @drumlineng.

 

SPIRIT AND SOUL SHOW

 

The Spirit and Soul Show debuts on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 8pm.

The show will run from 8pm to approximately 9pm.

This show is in collaboration with Shuzia Limited, owners of the shuzia.com website, a digital website that sells and promotes audiobooks, ebooks, music, sermons, spoken word and magazines.

All songs to be played on this show will be downloaded from shuzia.com. 

You will be able to read the reviews of these songs on this blog as from later today.

Only songs that score 7/10 and above will be played on the Drumline Entertainment Facebook live show. So, click on @drumlineng.com  to like and follow me, your host, the one and only DJ Irawo, the drum jamming disc jockey!

So, if you are a gospel music artist, upload your music singles and album on the shuzia.com platform.

I will be listening to about thirty songs a week and I look forward to picking your song and I hope that your song or album makes it to the show!

God wants the best.

His followers are moved to praise and worship Him with great music in the best musical atmosphere.

The goals of these gospel music reviews and music shows are to improve the quality of gospel music in Nigeria and to appreciate the creators of this music content.

Peace be unto you as you follow me on this musical journey.

DJ Irawo

MEET FEMISLIDE

Copyright: Femislide on Facebook

Oluwafemi Akinbodunwa, also known as Femislide, is an award-winning international afro-fusion musician.

He was born in 1978 in Musin, Lagos, Nigeria.

He is a trombonist, trumpeter, songwriter and vocalist. 

Femislide performs jazz, afro-funk and highlife genres of music.

He has been making and performing music for the past twenty-three years. 

His role models in the music sector of the entertainment industry are; the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, the late Haruna Isola and King Sunny Ade. 

He has recorded and or performed music with different musicians such as; Seyi Solagbade, Blackface, Lagbaja, Jesse King, Charly Boy, Waje, 2Baba Idibia, MI, Yolanda Brown, Mike Aremu, etc. 

Four songs from his EP are;

1. Mari Jo
2. Ife
3. Teacher
4. The Rich Also Cry

These four songs have great lyrical compositions, meaningful messages, sweet melody, vocal dexterity, sound balance and are professionally performed.

I thoroughly enjoyed these songs and cannot say which is my best. 

However, in Teacher, I expected to hear Tai Solarin's name as one of the teachers mentioned. I think that he was a prolific, prominent and outstanding teacher during his lifetime. Albeit, the ommission of his name does not in any way take away from the quality and beauty of that song. 

I rate these four songs 10/10.

Indeed Femislide is not joking with his musical career at all.

 

You can find Femislide's music at www.femislide.com and follow him via his social media handles which can be found at the bottom right side of his website.

Watch DJ Irawo's performance of Femislide @djiraworocks.

This music promotion is sponsored by:

Musically yours,

DJ Irawo

MEET JUSTIN VERZ

 

Copyright: Justin Verz on Facebook

Online, by Justin Verz, has a sweet intro and a solemn outro.

The song is melodic. The lead vocal is expressive. The female backup vocal is convincing. The lyrics are simple and heartwarming. The musical accompaniments are smooth. The song structure is simple and rhythmic. The performance quality is above average. The production and recording quality could be better; the overall volume of the production needs to be higher. Justin Verz is a skillful musician. I rate this song 8/10.

What is Justin Verz's legal name?

My name is Elawure-Abowa Justin.

Where were you born?

I was born in Benin City, Nigeria.

What is your educational background?

I have a BSc in Computer Science. 

When did you start making and performing music?

I started playing and performing music when I was in senior secondary school one (SSS 1).

What are your areas of specialization in the music sector of the entertainment industry?

I am a music producer, rapper and singer.

Who are your role models in the entertainment industry and why?

I love Jon Bellion and Burna Boy because their music is inspiring and their lyrics are deep.

Where can we find Justin Verz's music?

You can find my old and new songs on my Audiomack account at; 

https://audiomack.com/justinverz

Watch DJ Irawo's performance of online on a Facebook live video @djiraworocks.

This edition of My Freedom Online Jam is sponsored by: 

Musically yours,

DJ Irawo

DJ IRAWO'S MY FREEDOM PROJECT DEBUTS

 

DJ Irawo

DJ Irawo's My Freedom Project is a list of promotional products under the Drumline Promotion service of Drumline Entertainment.

Today, the 8th day of September, 2020, this project kicks off with a debut of My Freedom Online Jam in a Facebook live video @djiraworocks.

The My Freedom Project series is a platform for me to showcase my drumming, disc jockey, dancing, singing, promotion and broadcasting skills. 

Artists to be promoted are music, literary, fine, applied and performing artists.

Today, I kickstarted the My Freedom Online Jam, one of the series of the My Freedom Project, with a song from Justin Verz and four songs from Femislide.

Check out the show via this video @djiraworocks.

Currently, the My Freedom Project consists of five sub-projects namely:

1. Spirit and Soul Show 
2. My Freedom Street Jam
3. My Freedom Online Jam
4. My Freedom Offline Jam
5. My Freedom Online Chat

1. Spirit and Soul Show is sponsored by Shuzia Limited. It is a promotion of Shuzia.com's music content by various gospel musicians.
2. My Freedom Street Jam is a platform for promoting DJ Irawo's talents, other artists and for the awareness and eradication of mental health in the community.
3. My Freedom Online Jam is a platform for promoting musicians and other artists on the @djiraworocks and @drumlineng platforms on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube, LinkedIn and the Drumline Entertainment Blog.
4. My Freedom Offline Jam is a platform for promoting musicians and other artists' works in partnership with entertainment venues such as hotels, lounges, clubs, etc.
5. My Freedom Online Chat is a platform to interact with music professionals such as music teachers, music producers, music videographers, music bloggers, etc.

For the next six months, these series of projects will be sponsored by:

Stay with me.

I am musically yours,

DJ Irawo.

ARE YOU CALLED OR UNCALLED FOR GOSPEL MUSIC?

In Nigeria, there are two main categories of music and they are; gospel music and secular music. 

Some other set of people call their kind of music, inspirational.

I have discovered that before a musician sets out to create music for the public, he or she first decides whether to do gospel or secular music.

In my opinion, gospel music is not a class of music that a musician decides to choose. He or she must be led by the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel with his or her songs.

Some musicians simply compose music and because it consists of heavenly words like Olorun, Jehovah, Jesus, Father, etc, they categorize themselves as gospel musicians.

Some gospel musicians' way of life is a far cry from the songs that they minister. I am not their judge. It is simply my observation.

It is compulsory for gospel musicians to be born-again Christians before and during their music career. You must work with the Holy Spirit to save souls, praise and worship God.

If you are a full-time gospel musician, there will be times that you will run into problems of lack of finance but God will provide for you because He has called you to do this work and He will provide for your every need.

Those that are testing the gospel music waters for money will get frustrated and probably change to the secular genre of music because they have not gotten the wealth they seek from gospel music. 

For those who are into gospel music for the money, Frank Edwards has a few words of advice for you.

According to Frank Edwards in his interview with the Punch newspapers, I quote;

“Gospel music is a ministry and not an industry.

‘If you are a gospel minister, you have to know you are in a ministry. If you are in it for the money, you may be disappointed…. It is not that you will not make money in the long run but that is not the focus. The focus is to preach the gospel of Christ through your music. When your focus is to first do something that would sell, you would lose focus. If you want to do it for the business, then try secular music.

‘You need to be called to be a gospel artist because you would have to endure when the money is not forthcoming and you have to wait on the Lord and learn to use your faith. You would even be popular and you would still be climbing bikes.”

Secular music artists may also decide to write and perform gospel music at some point in their career. They should not be castigated for doing this because asides from being secular artists, they are also Christians and would love to worship God via their songwriting, singing and instrument playing skills and go back to their secular music afterwards.

For example, I intend to include my songs that edify God into my second album; ten songs in all. You may call it gospel music but I am neither a gospel musician nor a secular musician. I am not even an inspirational musician. I simply do great music.

With my second album, I just want to praise God as a human being and my fans and new converts may decide to worship and praise Him along with me.

R. Kelly wrote and sang gospel songs like YOU SAVED ME and THE STORM IS OVER. He also wrote I LOOK TO YOU for Whitney Houston and a few more gospel songs.

While singers like Simi are switching from gospel music to secular music, rappers like Kanye West, after serenading Lucifer in a lot of his previous songs, have switched to gospel music.

Kanye has two gospel music albums titled JESUS IS KING and JESUS IS BORN. From the great songs in these albums, it seems to me that Kanye West has converted to gospel music completely. Great!

Do what you will.

Jesus loves you anyway!

MARLIANS, WISE UP!

tvcnews.tv

Wikipedia

Below is what a lady tweeted about Naira Marley;

I guess that her outburst originated from a post by a Marlian and from the corresponding comment from another Marlian on that post as shown below;

Nairaland.com

....and most likely this....

informationng.com

In my opinion, education is important for any art creator. 

Education is how you protect your rights with respect to the business and legal sides of your art and craft.

If you are not enlightened, how will you know that you are being cheated by your manager and other members of your team?

How will you understand your music or acting contract?

How will you become an international musician if you are not educated?

Alongside your music, you will also be answering interview questions on radio, television, events and online platforms. 

Your fans will want to know how intelligent and eloquent you are asides from your art.

How will you communicate effectively in round table discussions as a musician?

Many musicians went back to the classroom to acquire an education after an inferiority complex set in for them during the course of their music careers.

Examples of these musicians and actors are; Saheed Osupa, KWAM 1, Odunlade Adekola, etc.

Musicians like Salawa Abeni hired private tutors to teach them how to read and write.

Certainly, their efforts have helped their careers tremendously.

So, while listening to the music of your favourite musicians, be guided. Do not let them mislead you whilst they seek for attention and catch their trips.

Certainly, Naira Marley's four children and probably his two wives will attend the best schools in the United Kingdom while you stick around in Nigeria sucking up to a misleading Marlian fantasy.

TIWA AND DAVIDO WARN COZA FOR DECEITFUL ADVERTISEMENT

 

Tiwa Savage writes; 

"It has been brought to my attention that there is a viral video which includes me advertising an upcoming COZA event. I want to state that I have nothing to do with the church and generally do not endorse their events. I'm extremely disappointed that I was fraudulently approached to simply comment on how God has been good to me and it has been wrongly edited to use my image to create an advert to deceive people. COZA, this is wrong! I will be taking action if this is not immediately retracted."

Nigerian music superstar, Wizkid, retweeted Tiwa Savage's post as a sign of support for her stand against the church.

These two should get married and let us be!

Also, Davido warned COZA on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 after a doctored video was shared on Biodun Fatoyinbo's Twitter and Instagram pages. 

The video portrays Davido advertising an event, Twelve Days of Glory, which is billed to take place in the church soon.

The mother of the female child in the video, Elizabeth Omale, whom Davido created the video for, wrote;

"I would like to make some clarifications on the video recorded with @davidoofficial for my church, the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly COZA). The video was in no way intended to be an official advertisement from the church. It was simply my way of raising awareness for a program I am passionate about. I have read reports online claiming that Davido is coming to the program as an ambassador of COZA because of the video. These reports are false.
'He recorded that video with me and my daughter as a favour to a friend; nothing more. Also, my pastor, Pastor Biodun, only reposted the video from my page because he has been reposting videos about the program. My video wasn't the only one on his page.The video was a product of my excitement about 12 DG and there was no malice intended. I apologize for the confusion and misrepresentation and once again, I would like to say I acted as an individual and not as an official representative of COZA. Thank you."

Smchewwww!  

Barawo pipu! Using opolo ori eja (fish brain) for us since 19-gbogboro!

So, who doctored the video if it wasn't you, Elizabeth Omale, just to support your rape accused pastor?

It nauseates me that you even refer to him as your pastor after all the rape allegations against him.

The rape case against him was struck out abi?! Kwantiniu to bask in your ignorance.

Anyway, Biodun Fatoyinbo has removed the controversial post from his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

It would have been nice to see him in court again. 

By the way, here is the link to the controversial video: