On A Special Jazzy Note, MUSON Musical Festival 2025 Kicks off

Yinka Olatunbosun

The 29th edition of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Festival, themed “In The Flow,” will begin on Sunday, October 12, and run through October 26, 2025, with an exciting line-up of concerts, performances, and symposia celebrating classical and contemporary music.

This year’s edition promises a special highlight, a Jazz Party on October 17, featuring celebrated jazz musicians Imoleayo Balogun, Isaac Olatunde, and OB Nelson. The night will showcase a fusion of smooth, swing, and traditional jazz sounds in what organisers describe as a celebration of creativity and musical freedom.

At a press briefing in Lagos to announce the festival, the Chairperson of the MUSON Festival Planning Committee, Mrs. Sade Doherty said the two-week-long event would feature diverse programmes, including a musical brunch on October 12, MUSON Day Concert, the Chevron-sponsored musical drama, a symposium on music and technology, and the grand Gala Concert sponsored by TotalEnergies.

According to her, this year’s theme marks a new chapter for MUSON after years of resilience.

“After COVID-19 and the economic downturn, we had festival themes centred on resurgence, resilience, and revival. Now, we are ‘in the flow’ of what our founding fathers envisioned as the promotion of understanding, enjoyment, and performance of classical and contemporary music,” Doherty said.

She also revealed that the 2025 festival brochure includes a special musical sheet of the Nigerian National Anthem, symbolising unity and patriotism as the nation celebrates its 65th Independence anniversary.

“We deliberately included the anthem to celebrate Nigeria at 65 and to highlight music as a unifying force,” she said.

The brochure also features a message from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which expressed its support for the festival. Doherty quoted the agency’s message:

“At the National Orientation Agency, we believe that music and values are both languages of unity. Just as melodies flow together in harmony, so must our people flow together in brotherhood and shared purpose.”

Doherty highlighted the festival’s rich programme, including a Musical Brunch (October 12), MUSON Day Concert (October 14), Jazz Party (October 17), Chevron Musical Drama (October 18), Operatic Performances (October 19 & 25), Symposium on Music and Technology titled “Collabo” (October 21), Young Talents Concert (October 23), and the Gala Concert (October 26).

The closing Gala Concert will feature the MUSON Choir under the direction of Emeka Nwokedi and the MUSON Symphony Orchestra conducted by visiting German maestro Walter-Michael Vollhardt, performing Carl Orff’s classic masterpiece “Carmina Burana.”

Jazz saxophonist Imoleayo Balogun described the MUSON Jazz Night as one of the longest-standing traditions of the festival.
“MUSON is one of the households of jazz in Nigeria. For over 20 years, we’ve never missed a night of jazz. This year will be remarkable. We are bringing together fusion, swing, and traditional jazz in one exciting evening,” he said.

In his statement, Louis Mbanefo (SAN), Chairman of MUSON, reflected on the society’s enduring legacy since its founding in 1983 by the late Mr. Akintola Williams, Chief Ayo Rosiji, Mrs. Francesca Emanuel, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, and himself.

“After the previous years’ themes of Resurgence, Resilience, and Revival, MUSON is now back ‘In the Flow.’ For 42 continuous years, the MUSON project continues to thrive and flow beyond the dreams of our founding fathers,” he stated.
He noted that the society has maintained its mission through regular concerts and music education. The MUSON School of Music, supported by the MTN Foundation, has trained over 500 diploma graduates since its establishment in 2008, many of whom now perform and teach across Nigeria and abroad.

Mbanefo added that MUSON’s achievements remain a testament to the power of collaboration and vision.
“The MUSON project shows what Nigerians can achieve when we pool our talents, skills, and resources toward a shared goal,” he said.