MUSIC OF OTHER WORLD CULTURES IN A DIGITAL-AGE: SYNOPSIS OF FOUR COUNTRIES AS STUDIED IN THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC, NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

Abstract

This study examined the Music of Other World Cultures as studied in the Department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. The Departmental Handbook captures Music of World Cultures as a first semester course in year three for the undergraduate regular academic programme. Prior to exposing students to this course of study, they had earlier been exposed to courses such as African Music studies I and II as well as some courses in Western Music History ranging from Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. Studies in African cum Western music taught within the first two years serve as foundation to the Music of World Cultures which is later taken just once in the first semester of year three. In as much as African American Music as complimentary to Music of World Cultures is also taught in the second semester of year three, it is not enough compared to the enormous number of courses offered in African and Western music which run from year one to the final year. In his contribution towards proffering solution to the above academic gap as well as to provide an accessible teaching material in that regard, the researcher discussed the music of four countries cutting across the Americas and Asia . Data collection was based on both digital and analogue literature research methods. The outcome of the findings shows that music of various countries of the world are borne out of their resource materials which range from geographical, agricultural, ecological, occupational and religious features etc. Conclusively, the study discovered that through acculturation and inculturation, various countries of the world are musically intertwined. The study recommends the extension of the present inquiry to other countries of the world which are not mentioned in this research hence the extant investigation could not accommodate the whole truth envisioned to be addressed in the study.