Nigerian Bassoonist Makes Historic Carnegie Hall Debut with African United Youth Orchestra in New York

By Tosin Clegg

Nigerian bassoonist Stephen Olusemire made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2024 as a member of the African United Youth Orchestra, marking a historic moment for African representation in classical music.
For Stephen, who began playing the bassoon as a self taught young musician in Lagos, Nigeria, the debut carried deep personal significance. “As a young boy learning the bassoon in Lagos, I never imagined myself performing on one of the greatest stages in the world alongside passionate musicians like me while representing my country,” he said. “Walking onto that stage was surreal. Even after the performance, I can still picture my first glance at the hall. It was marvelous and deeply motivating.”
Selection for the orchestra followed a highly competitive audition process that attracted over 10,000 applicants from across the African continent. Only 64 musicians were selected. The ensemble is believed to be the first all African orchestra to represent the continent collectively on a global classical music stage, making the project unprecedented in the history of classical music.
The two week international tour began in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the orchestra rehearsed and presented a concert, before traveling to New York City for its Carnegie Hall performance.Stephen noted the challenges of adapting to changing climates during the tour, particularly as a bassoonist who makes his own reeds. “We moved from the coldest period in South Africa to extreme summer heat in New York. I had to constantly adjust my reeds to perform at my best,” he explained.
The Carnegie Hall program featured works by South African composers Michael Mosoeu Moerane, Mzilikazi Khumalo, and Bongani Ndodana Breen. The concert opened with Moerane’s Fatše La Heso (My Country), followed by arias from Khumalo’s uShaka KaSenzagakhona and Princess Magogo, performed by South African soprano Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha. Ndodana Breen’s Three Orchestral Songs on Poems of Ingrid Jonker were also featured. The evening concluded with Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, From the New World.
Reflecting on the moment before stepping on stage,Stephen described being overwhelmed by memories of his journey. “I thought about how I walked long distances just to practice at church, the struggles, and the times people mocked me for choosing music while others took different paths. Standing on that stage about to perform one of the greatest symphonies in classical music history felt unreal. It showed me that persistence truly pays off.”
Beyond the personal milestone,Stephen believes the performance carries broader meaning for African musicians. “This moment proves there is still so much ground to break in classical music, especially coming from a continent where the art form is often undervalued. Young people are beginning to take interest, and this experience leaves a lasting message that doors will continue to open when dedication and discipline are applied.”
The Carnegie Hall debut stands as a historic achievement for African classical musicians and a powerful symbol of the continent’s growing presence on the global stage.