FUSING TRADITIONS: EXPLORING SELECTED WESTERN VOCAL MUSIC THROUGH AFRICAN INSTRUMENTS IN A NIGERIAN RECITAL EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Music in Africa is rooted in rhythm, participation, and cultural symbolism, making traditional Western vocal art music, characterised by linear harmony and formal presentation, less engaging for many Nigerian audiences. This study explores the fusion of Western solo vocal music with African traditional instrumental accompaniment, particularly Yoruba percussion, to enhance cultural relevance and listener engagement. The central argument is that integrating African rhythms into Western art songs can bridge aesthetic gaps and foster deeper audience connection. Western classical vocal music is often passively received in Nigeria due to its simplicity and cultural distance, whereas African music is celebrated for its rhythmic complexity and communal energy. This research involves three components: (1) integrating Yoruba traditional instruments into selected Western art songs, (2) live performances of both original and adapted versions, and (3) analysing audience responses. The study is grounded in Kinga Jentetics's theory of strategic integration, which suggests that incorporating culturally familiar elements enhances emotional engagement and loyalty, in this context, to classical vocal music. Using an experimental design, ten Western songs were arranged with and without Yoruba percussion and performed to a live audience. Findings show that the integrated versions elicited greater emotional and physical audience response. Performers also reported heightened expressiveness and stronger audience interaction when accompanied by African rhythms. The study concludes that blending African instruments with Western vocal music offers a promising approach to rebranding classical traditions for Nigerian audiences. It recommends curriculum reforms, further cross-cultural studies, and more performance-based experimentation to promote inclusivity and cultural resonance in global vocal music.