Archbishop urges parents to enroll children in music classes to develop intellectual capacity

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, has called on parents to enroll children in music classes in order to facilitate the quick development of their intellectual capacity.

Okeke said this in a speech during the 2015 Music Cantata of the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Music Academy (AVOMA) held at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha on Monday.

He noted that music develop the innate ability of children to have ``photographic memory’’, since its learning and mastery of the rhythms and instruments demands optimal concentration.

``When you are engaged in music whether as a singer or playing the instruments; you must put all your concentration in it for you to bring out the best as well as get mastery of the art in due time.

``And while you are doing this, anytime you remove your concentration from it; automatically you start making mistakes.

``So, musical classes help so much to build and develop the innate notion of human concentration needed for academics and other intellectual up-bringing especially in children,’’ he said.

The cleric noted that the in the olden days, the wealthy usually buy musical instruments for their children; adding that then, it was the prerogative of the children of the affluence to play music and musical instruments.

``Today, the music academy is opened to all children free of charge. And I am calling on parent to encourage their children to enroll and learn all about music especially within this holiday period instead of whiling away their time at home,’’ he said.
Okeke said that it would not be long, children in his music academy would start going to London, Paris, US and Rome to perform; adding: ``Personally, I won’t want any child to be left out’’.

``The Church will continue to give support to children since they are our future, even when most of us must have gone,’’ he added.

A special guest at the cantata, the Bishop of Antichot in Belgium, Most Rev. Bonny Josef, described the presentations as the best he had witnessed within some years now; while extolling the mastery of the musical instruments by the children.

``I am very much impressed with the songs and music instruments today from these children. And I must say also, that it is with the highest quality I have witnessed within some years now,’’ Josef noted.

Speaking, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh, said that it was so sweet listening to the children as well as beholding their mastery of the musical instruments.

The Director of AVOMA, Rev. Fr. Stephen Ifeanyi, said that the academy had been growing in numbers since three years ago the archbishop came up with the idea to keep children busy during the holiday periods through musical classes.

``We started with less than 25 children three years ago, but today, the number is beyond 150 children ranging from age five to 15,’’ Ifeanyi said.

The director appealed to philanthropists to assist the academy by donating musical instruments; adding: ``One of our greatest challenges is having instruments that would be sufficient for the children with us now and those that would enroll soon’’.

The academy has over 40 instruments, which include drums, guitars, pianos, flutes, trumpets, saxophones, violins etc.

The Archbishop Valerian Okeke Music Academy (AVOMA) is been sponsored by the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Foundation (AVOF).



Pictures

Pictures from the 2015 Music Cantata of the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Music Academy (AVOMA) held at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha in Anambra State on Monday.
The Archbishop Valerian Okeke Music Academy (AVOMA) is been sponsored by the Archbishop Valerian Okeke Foundation (AVOF).

Cantata – 1: The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke (middle); flanked by the Bishop of Antwerpen in Belgium, Most Rev. Jozef Bonny (right) and the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Denis Isizoh (left).


Cantata – 2: Children of the academy performing with various musical instruments during the cantata.

Cantata – 3: Children of the academy performing a grand orchestra display during the cantata.

Cantata – 4: (from left to right) The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke and the Bishop of Antwerpen in Belgium, Most Rev.  Jozef Bonny.

Cantata – 5: Children of the academy performing a traditional rendition.

Cantata - 6: Spectators witnessing the cantata.