Secondary school students and lovers of live music are in for exciting times as a novel Lagos High School Music Challenge (LHSMC) kicks off. LHSMC is a unique music contest aimed at harnessing music talents among children and teenagers in the state while empowering and offering early guidance into the ever growing and exciting world of live music.
The programme, which is opened to secondary students in Lagos will officially debut on June 20 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, EKO FM, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos with over 30 contestants vying for honours and various goodies up for grabs.
The Executive Producer of the show, Biodun Kupoluyi, the Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment Media Limited, explained that “the appalling trend of parading music illiterates as the elites of Nigerian music pushed us as an organisation to birth this idea. The rich musical history that King Sunny Ade, Fela, Dan Maraya Jos, Bala Miller, IK Cairo, Ebenezer Obey, Osita Osadebe, Oliver De Coque, and all the other great legends toiled to build is gradually eroding, dying and that is why we decided to face the next generation to help arrest the situation.”
Organisers say schools have since began rehearsals for the competition that will parade 14 of the 26 bands eliminated during the first round leaving the remaining contestants to face the battle in front of a panel of industry experts for the second round.
Also, solo talents in music will be on stage to contest.
The qualified 12 bands as well as winners of the solo performances from the first round will move up to this year’s Grand Finale set for June 21, which coincides with the globally celebrated World Music Day.
Contestants are to perform cover songs and original compositions during the competition.
The talent search show is supported by the Lagos State’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Ministry of Education and EKO FM.
Lagos High School Band Challenge (LHSMC) is conceived and designed by Entertainment Media Limited to discover, develop, and promote live music and band culture among secondary school students in Lagos.
LHSMC is a production of Entertainment Media Limited.