UDC: 005.5:785.6(669.1) COBISS.SR-ID 139161097 CIP - 8 _________________
Received: Sept 18, 2023
Reviewed: Nov 03, 2023
Accepted: Nov 15, 2023
Towards a Strategic Policy Formulation for
Enhanced Music Directing and Ensemble Management in Nigeria
Oghenemudiakevwe Igbi
Department of Theatre and Film Studies,
University of Africa, Toru Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
[email protected]
Ezinne Igbi
Lakeland School, Ogunu – Warri, Nigeria
[email protected]
Department of Theatre and Film Studies,
University of Africa, Toru Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
[email protected]
Ezinne Igbi
Lakeland School, Ogunu – Warri, Nigeria
[email protected]
Citation: Igbi, Oghenemudiakevwe and Ezinne Igbi. 2024. "Towards a Strategic Policy Formulation for Enhanced Music Directing and Ensemble Management in Nigeria." Accelerando: Belgrade Journal of Music and Dance 9:9
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Abstract
Policies in music are results of systematic procedures that culminate in blueprints that aid the smooth running of ensembles, for immediate or long-term impacts. The solidity of an enterprise is not solely dependent on financial strength, staffing and facilities, but also on policies that serve as checkmate. In most Nigerian music ensembles, policies are nearly nonexistent, and even when there are, they are not scripted. The paper is a response to this lapse, that is, drawing the attention of ensemble administrators to formulate ideal policies that can be domesticated for use. The paper elicits data from interviews and observation of randomly selected ensemble leaders. Findings from the study reveal that policies are essential to ensembles in maximizing potentials and creating more positive images for the music group. It is recommended that ensemble leaders in both sacred and secular domains should strive to formulate and implement such policies.
Keywords: Music Directing, Ensemble Management, Policy, Music Conducting, Nigerian Music |
Introduction
In Nigeria, music conducting and directing has often been viewed by many practitioners as a mere hobby or past-time. The authors have also observed that most music directors engage in the art for sheer extra-musical reasons. Conductors are even unaware of the need for policies that will guide the activities of their choirs towards improved music ensemble management. This has led to some misguided beliefs, attitudes and etiquette as it pertains to the functionality of a music group. Even in situations where policies exist, they are either unattainable or difficult to implement, probably because of the lack of formal music education among most ensemble leaders. Since art and popular music thrive on laid down rules and principles right from the stage of melodic, harmonic and rhythmic crafting, it is only factual that the delivery of the finished product and in fact the entire process of administration and delivery should be guided by a laid down procedure, herein referred to as policy. It therefore becomes imperative for music directors to come up with a model of policy formulation that will serve as a guide to budding ensemble leaders. The paper is a response to this dire need especially in the face of the proliferation of music ensembles across Nigeria. This will lead to improved service delivery and help members of ensembles to be more focused in their quest to attain professional and technical excellence.
In the field of ensemble musical practice, policies exist that pertain to general ensemble management and others are more specific, geared towards solving specific ensemble needs in both technical and administrative terms. For whatever reason policies are formed, they are aimed at enacting a formidable team of performers that will lead to high aesthetic musical delight during performances. This will help build a strong link between the ensemble leaders and the led. It has been observed by the author that ensemble managers mostly adopt already existing polices, including the rules and regulations that guide other ensembles, without bothering to wonder if those will be relevant to their ensembles. However, since every ensemble is unique in terms of goals, ensemble leaders who are stakeholders in policy development are supposed to carefully draw up workable policies that are relevant to their content, repertoire, aims, programme and professional practice. This will be achievable if the policymakers engage in worthwhile deliberations and ensure that such are well implemented. Meaning, Cycle and Types of Policies
A ‘policy’ can be defined as an adopted principle or a set of rules that serve as a guide in achieving the set aims and objectives of government, organization or individuals. Schneider & Ingram (1997, 2) define policy ‘mechanisms through which values are authoritatively allocated for society. Policies are revealed through texts, practices, symbols and discourses that define and deliver values including goods and services, regulation, income and status’. A policy is quite different from a law since they do not constrain or forbid one from taking an action. Rather, polices are meant to guide and maintain focus towards the attainment of a goal. Policies therefore, may be formulated in respect to the finances of an organization, property management, administration, members’ conduct, and technical issues, where applicable. Policy is a term also used by insurance managers and brokers.
Cycle
In designing a policy that will effectively drive the aims and objectives of an ensemble, it is imperative to follow a prescribed pattern. Aside that it is important for an ensemble to have a statement of intent, that is, why it is expedient to issue a policy and the proposed outcome. There must also be clear definitions of musical terms and concepts that may sound ambiguous to budding ensemble members or amateurs who may pick the document to peruse. Other areas to be captured in a comprehensive policy should be the target and those that the policy is expected to be binding on. This is important so as not to risk extending the policy to include chance persons that were not part of the original intention or plan. The under listed is a four-step policy formulation guide that music ensembles can adopt:
Types of Policies
Policies are of different types and meant to serve different purposes. Theodore Lowi (1972) identified four types of policy. They are distributive, redistributive, constituent and regulatory policies. Each of these policy types is not static. They are dynamic and can be modified from time to time. This is because the expected outcome may not always come to fruition due to many reasons that may be natural or man-made. In such cases, the policies can be revisited or adjusted to readdress the areas where they may have failed. The failure of policies may also be as a result of change in aims and objectives or the philosophies guiding such an ensemble.
Music Conducting/Ensemble Management
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References
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Belgrade Center for Music and Dance is the publisher of Accelerando: BJMD
Belgrade Center for Music and Dance is the publisher of Accelerando: BJMD