Ferdinand Ekechukwu
One of Nigeria’s foremost music institutions, Tenstrings Music Institute has disclosed some of the laudable initiatives and novel projects it embarked on during its 17th anniversary recently. The founder and director of the school, Akapo Emmanuel, during a chat with journalists, revealed among other things its plan to launch its online school.
He stressed that the online school would help cater for students outside Nigeria and also reduce the burden of visa procurement for foreign students seeking to study at the school. He also said the school was set to begin two new courses – Afrobeats Performance Diploma and Afrobeats Production Diploma – that will broaden the scope of the school curriculum, covering the afrobeats genre.
He stated that the pioneers and the newbies would all be involved in handling the courses. He further spoke on its plans to collaborate with the Lagos State Government. He noted that some of the lecturers will also be people from outside of Nigeria who have some level of reputation in that field.
“But majorly, we will be working with our in-house instructors, as well as notable industry brands in the field of afrobeats, especially the legendary ones,” he added.
“Also, the second project we are in talks with the Lagos State Government is for them to invest in the music school for it to be in every major local government of the state with the state sponsorship. I’m an indigene of Lagos and I’m pushing extremely hard to get young people who are talented.” Continuing, he said for the first time the school will be shooting its first musical for Netflix.
“It’s a story of a young talented Nigerian musician; how he against all odds, rose to fame and stardom. So, we are using that opportunity to just show the steps, the growth in the afrobeats industry in Nigeria, what it is like, with plenty of music in-between and, of course, as we tell the story. Additionally, we would also be having a couple of events.
“Our Joy of Music Africa in June, and Freedom First on October 1. We are also reopening our Lekki Phase 1 centre this year. We would open two new centres but not in the traditional way; three actually with London. We are partnering with those who have music spaces that are underutilising it. We have identified a partner in Lekki Phase 1. We used to be there until COVID when we shut down that campus.
“We have also identified a partner in Ibadan, Yinka Ayefele who is eager to share the space with Tenstrings. And then in London, an ex-student of Tenstrings has volunteered. He’s been there for a number of years now.”
