Olu Sowande: Centenary-Plus Celebration of a Nigerian Musical Legend

The arrival of the American and European missionaries and colonization in Nigeria in the mid-19th century paved the way for the emergence of Western classical music in the country. This novel style of music was disseminated to talented Nigerians through the church, colonial schools, concerts, and other media. Nigerians learned to compose, read, write music, and play Western instruments such as the violin, piano, and organ in these forums. The great Nigerian music family of the Sowande is not exempt from this experience. They encountered classical music in most of these avenues and thus became naturally imbued with it.