This thesis is divided into two main parts. Part one is the presentation of the ethnomusicological research study on Abigbo choral dance music, and indigenous music type found in the Mbaise area of Ibgo land in Nigeria. This part is made up of three chapters. Chapter one present the research out line for this work, which contains the Background of the study, personal motivation for the study, need for the study, methodology and value of the study. Chapter two presents a study of Abigbo music and the musicians. In this chapter, the researcher discussed the socio-cultural and creative milieu of Abigbo musicians, the creative performance process, the theoretical content of Abigbo music, and the artistic criticism as well as social aesthetics normative in Abigbo music appreciation. Chapter three of the work discussed transcription and analyses of traditional Ibgo music. Some problems of transcription and analyses in Ibgo music are argued from the perspectives of other writers and the researcher’s experience. The transcription and analysis techniques are then applied to selection Abigbo music repertory. This part of the thesis is, therefore, an Ethnomusicological study of Abigbo music and musicians in which identifiable musical elements, compositional principles and the stylistic forte of Abigbo choral-dance music are discussed. The research-study enables the researcher to identify seminal compositional materials for the modern symphony orchestra composition deriving from the creative principles of Abigbo music. Part two of this work is, essentially, an original creative work for the modern symphony orchestra applying the musical elements, compositional principles and style of Abigbo choral-dance music. This part is in three chapters: four, five and six. Chapter four is the composition of “Abigbo for Modern Symphony Orchestra”. It is a three movement orchestral work in contrasting tempi, in which the second movement introduces a male chorus with the orchestra. Chapter five is a detailed analysis of the work and its compositional procedure. Chapter six presents the conclusions and projections emanating from the study. Part II then presents a perspective in the creative continuum of African music informed by Abigbo choral-dance music. It is a study of Abigbo choral-dance music of the Mbaise people in Igbo land of Nigeria and the application of its elements, compositional principles and style in the composition of modern art music for a modern symphony orchestra. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Music / DMus / unrestricted

This study examines the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie ceremonies, which is an annual religious and cultural event celebrated by the Benin speaking people of Edo State, Nigeria. As a communal and spiritual activity, the Oba and people of Benin kingdom mark the Ugie festivals with Musical and dance performances. Within this context, the study adopts the historical and participant approaches as its method of contending that some events during the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies are colorful theatrical performances. The organizational structure of the Oba of Benin Palace as it relates to the observance of Ugie festival ceremonies is also discussed in this research. This study also examines the role Ewini music plays in the various Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies, thereby looking at its origin, socio-cultural context, formation procedure, instrumentation, and organizational set-up. This research also recommends different ways in which music practitioner can benefit by applying a theatrical approach to the study of these royal Ugie ceremonies and its music and also the ability of the festival ceremonies to continue to act as an instrument of stability and unity for the people of Benin kingdom, by bringing people from different walks of life together during the performance at Ugie ceremonies. For clarity, all non-english words are defined in the glossary section on page 73. / Art History, Visual Arts & Musicology / M.Mus.

This study examines the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie ceremonies, which is an annual religious and cultural event celebrated by the Benin speaking people of Edo State, Nigeria. As a communal and spiritual activity, the Oba and people of Benin kingdom mark the Ugie festivals with Musical and dance performances. Within this context, the study adopts the historical and participant approaches as its method of contending that some events during the Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies are colorful theatrical performances. The organizational structure of the Oba of Benin Palace as it relates to the observance of Ugie festival ceremonies is also discussed in this research. This study also examines the role Ewini music plays in the various Oba of Benin Royal Ugie festival ceremonies, thereby looking at its origin, socio-cultural context, formation procedure, instrumentation, and organizational set-up. This research also recommends different ways in which music practitioner can benefit by applying a theatrical approach to the study of these royal Ugie ceremonies and its music and also the ability of the festival ceremonies to continue to act as an instrument of stability and unity for the people of Benin kingdom, by bringing people from different walks of life together during the performance at Ugie ceremonies. For clarity, all non-english words are defined in the glossary section on page 73. / Art History, Visual Arts and Musicology / M.Mus.