Abuja National Music Competition 4th Edition

Report
Introduction
The Abuja National Music Competition is an annual event aimed at showcasing and
nurturing young musical talent from various schools across the Abuja and its
surrounding states. The competition provides a platform for students to demonstrate
their musical abilities and receive recognition for their hard work and dedication. This
report provides a comprehensive overview of the pre, during and post event activities.

Invitation Process

> Delivery of Letters to Schools

The distribution of invitation letters begun on the 29th of January and ended on the
31st of May 2024 over 90 schools of which 4 schools registered and participated.
Letters were sent Primary and Secondary schools known for their strong music
programs and schools that have a history of participating in the previous editions of
the competition.

Compiling a List of Schools

> A comprehensive list of schools within Abuja and its environs was compiled. The
list included Premier Academy,Benford International School, Regina Pacis Colledge
and International Community School.
Drafting the Invitation Letters
> The letters were drafted and vetted before being printed and sent out for
distribution. The letters were informative. They included the competition's purpose,
benefits of participation, and details on how to register.

Delivery Methods
> Letters were distributed through two channels. Some were hand-delivered to ensure
personal engagement with the schools, while others were sent via email.

Follow-Up
> Follow-up calls and visits were made to ensure that the schools received the letters
and to address any questions or concerns they might have had.

Feedback from Schools

> Schools provided feedback on their experience with the invitation process and their
overall interest in the competition. The feedback collection involved:

Feedback Channels
> Schools could send their feedback via email or phone calls.This ensured a diverse
and comprehensive collection of opinions.

Analysis of Feedback
Some of the schools that were reached out to were interested in competing however
the date of the competition did not agree with their school’s academic calender
because the date fell in the same month as the Junior and Senior external examination
or Graduation ceremony. Because of this they could not participate, some schools
complained about being unable to pay the registration fee, some schools said that they
were to early in their music program to compete and though the importance of
exposure and competition was buttressed, they declined the offer. Though other
schools acknowledged and collected the invitation letter it was discovered that theses
letters never went through the proper channels. So, when reminder letters were being
sent out the schools informed us that they never received the original copy of the
letter. This resulted in the information reaching the schools late.

Online Promotion.
Awareness of the competition was made and published on Instagram, Facebook,
X(Twitter), Ticktock and on the Radio. Recap videos were also edited and and posted
on various social media handles.

Recruitment of Judges
The judges that were selected were individuals with a clear understanding of music,
sight reading and the understanding of music dynamics.The judges who were
selected were Malam Razphil, Adebayo Omole, Wg Cdr A.O Ayambode, Professor
Adebowale Adeogun and Moses Abdulkass.

Customization of Awards
Mr. Razaq was tasked with customizing the awards for the competition. He made sure
that the awards were delivered on time so that necessary corrections and additions
were made. He used high-quality materials to create bespoke trophies and plaques,
each designed to reflect the competition's prestige and the recipient's achievement.

Additional Details
Judges Dinner
Though the dinner did not hold due to Prof. Adeogun’s flight delay, a breakfast
meeting held and the feedback from the judges was pleasant as they enjoyed each
others company.

Competition Categories and Rules

The competition featured several categories, including solo performances and group
performances. Each category had specific rules and guidelines to ensure a level
playing field. Participants were required to submit their entries and registration forms
by the 7th of June 2024.

Event Promotion
Promotion of the event was carried out through various channels, including social
media, local newspapers, and radio stations. This ensured widespread awareness and
encouraged community support.

Event Day Execution

On the day of the competition, a detailed schedule was followed to ensure smooth
execution. This included registration of participants, orientation sessions, and
performance slots. Volunteers and staff were on hand to manage logistics for the
judges, giving directions to the participating schools and a stand by janitor to take
care of the restrooms that were used by the gusts.

Award Ceremony
The award ceremony was a highlight of the event, featuring performances by our
judges, staff and teachers who accompanied the students for the competition. Awards
were presented to winners and first runner up in each category,
Ensemble
Winner: Regina Pacis
Runner up: Premier Academy

Choir
Senior
Winner: Regina
Runner up: Benford College
Junior
Winner: Benford College
Runner up: Non
Solo
Violin:
Winner: Olayinka Gbolahan(ICS)
Runner up: Mosope(ICS)
Piano
Winner: Olaitan Gbolahan(ICS)
Runner up:Ihugo Micheal

All participants received certificates of participation.

Forecast
Timing:

> Best Months:Because of the complaint of examination and graduation we should

consider scheduling the competition between September and November. These
periods avoid the congestion of the school’s calenders and major holidays, ensuring
better attendance and smoother logistics.
> Weekends: We should keep having the competition on the weekends because the
turn out rate is high
> Venue: The lighting and space of the Bahamas event center helped amplify the
sound of the instruments and helped the competitors be visible to the viewers.Though
the restrooms were accessible they were not pleasant,we can work on them in advance
so that they are on the day of the event .The venue is easily accessible with good
transportation links and adequate parking, thus we should look into retaining it for
other editions of the competition going forward.
> Promotion: We should look into advertising using a billboard in concentrated areas.
>Early Marketing: Start promoting the event at least 6-8 months in advance. Use
social media, local radio, television, and print media to reach a broad audience.
Engage Influencers: Collaborate with local musicians, influencers, and bloggers to
generate buzz.
Pre-Sale Tickets: Offer early bird discounts to encourage early ticket sales and gauge
interest.
>Diverse Genres: Encourage a diverse range of musical genres to attract a wider
audience.
Local Talent: Highlight local artists to foster community support.
Workshops and Panels: Include workshops and panel discussions to add value for
participants and attendees.
Logistics:

Technological Support: Ensure high-quality sound and lighting systems are in place
for a seamless experience by having full day or two day sound checks
Sponsorship and Partnerships
Local Businesses: Partner with local businesses for sponsorships and collaborations.
Government and Cultural Institutions: Seek support from government and cultural
institutions to boost credibility and resources.

Note: Take note of prospective sponsor’s annual theme to make sure that it is in line
with ours.

Conclusion
The Abuja National Music Competition was a resounding success, this year even with
the challenges and set backs. However we should plan earlier and be more timely to
make it better in subsequent editions.The process of delivering invitation letters,
collecting feedback, recruiting qualified judges, and customizing awards contributed
significantly to the event's overall excellence and should be improved on. The
competition not only celebrated young musical talent but also fostered a sense of
community and appreciation for the arts. Future editions will build on this foundation
to continue promoting and nurturing musical excellence among the youth.