18th Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE) conference |24 June 2019

Messrs Chitambo (left) and Bresson during the press conference

Africa’s music education stalwarts to chart out new course

Key players in music education from top universities across the African continent and other countries such as United States and United Kingdom will come together in Seychelles to plan and map out new paradigms that will chart a new course in music and art practices.

Seychelles will host the 18th Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE) on July 1 under the chosen theme ‘Sustainable Musical Arts Education for Africa’.

Creative Industries & National Events Agency (Cinea) chief executive Galen Bresson and the chairperson of PASMAE John Chitambo gave more details about the week-long conference to the media in a press conference at the International Conference Centre (ICS) last week.

Some 80 delegates from several countries will be in attendance and the conference/workshop presenters will illustrate practices as well as new developments in music and art education that will benefit music educators, performers and many others.

Among other things, this conference will create opportunities for professional growth with a host of presentations, including demonstrations and music performances as well as bringing to light the wide variety of opportunities that PASMAE offers for local musicians and educators such as strategies on how to grow their musical and artistic products on international market which PASMAE advocates for.

Mr Chitambo also added that many institutions offer recognition and academic credit for conference attendance. Some institutions may provide financial help as well as university scholarships for locals through joining PASMAE. This will also create a platform for local artists’ international exposure.

Mr Chitambo said: “As a host nation who is surrounded by so many challenges impacting our youths, we believe that arts have a huge impact on the health of the nation at large especially in the preservation of our cultures. With this conference, we feel privileged to be the host which in a way will positively contribute to our goal in promoting music and arts education which currently is a major concern of Seychelles.”

PASMAE president Tochukwu Elijah Eze has been quoted on the PASMAE website: “We feel proud to be among the rest of mother Africa in fighting to preserve, educate and promote arts education which is crucial in the lives of all learners and all the human societies across the continent.”

He added that PASMAE has always prided itself in hosting regional and international music conferences that have added value to all delegates with lots of “Ahh!” Moments, during the conferences due to depths of insights shared by renowned educators with a focus on African music practices.

“At this conference, we are happy to partner with the government of Seychelles, International School Seychelles and the organising committee, as we unite under the umbrella of PASMAE to attract African music educators, and many other music educators from all around the globe, for a rekindling of passion for knowledge in musical arts education across Africa and beyond, as we will focus our discourse on ‘Sustainable Musical Arts Education for Africa’. We are looking forward to sharing remarkable moments that will become a landmark in our practices as music educators,” said Mr Eze.

On his part, Mr Bresson added that current Seychellois artists should take this opportunity to widen their knowledge with the professionals that will attend the conference.

The Cinea boss added that we need to look for a way to help young Seychellois with talents and are able to develop their craft who will then be able to live off their product.

The conference will begin on July 1 and will end on Friday 5.