The Ibadan Provincial Choir, a forum for all the Catholic Choirs in Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, held a Conference at Our Lady and St. Kizito’s Pastoral Center, Ede, Osun State, between Friday 4th October and Sunday 6th October, 2024.

The aim of the Conference was to discuss how Choirs will continue to make positive contributions to the efforts of the local Church regarding liturgical hymns, to remind the Choir members of their duty in the liturgy, to share experiences and learn from one another. 

The theme of the conference was "LITURGICAL MUSIC AND CONGREGATIONAL PARTICIPATION IN A CHANGING WORLD." This was carefully chosen to remind the Choir members that liturgical singing demands more than just an ordinary rendition of songs or hymns. In other words, to emphasize the fact that the Choir is meant to lead, support and promote the participation of the people actively, consciously, and fruitfully at liturgy. As such ongoing formation is necessary for the members of the Choir from time to time. 

There were two paper presentations at the Conference by Mr. Francis Okodua and Rev. Fr. Michael Akinsode. In the first paper delivered by Mr. Francis Okodua titled "Choir Comportment and Discipline," the speaker, who is a musician and composer, spoke at length about the necessity of Choir members seeing themselves as ministers at liturgy. They must therefore apply themselves to their duty wholeheartedly with appropriate discipline and modesty. 

In his own paper titled "Liturgical Music and Congregational Participation in a Changing World," Very Rev. Fr. Michael Akinsode, a priest of Osogbo Diocese and the Chaplain of the Chapel of Perpetual Light, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who is also a composer and poet, reminded the Conference delegates of the meaning of Liturgy and Liturgical Music.

He related this to what is expected of the Choir in their duty not just leading the people of God in hymns during liturgical celebrations, but also to engage the people of God and to see that those who gather for liturgical worship become active participants through the hymns rendered. 

He noted the importance of upholding the cultural heritage of the community of faith, in order to enhance better active singing and participation of the gathered assembly. Both paper presentations were practical and down to earth. The delegates were able to discuss further in various groups and emerged useful points for action. 

Apart from the papers delivered, there were also practical instructions from the Provincial Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo and other Diocesan Chaplains present, namely Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi (Ibadan Archdiocese) and Rev. Fr. Isaac Awe (Osogbo Diocese), the Choir Executive members, led by Mr. Patrick Temitope Adesuyi, and some of the Choir music directors. The Conference also featured voice training techniques. The participants also learned and did a presentation of two Yoruba hymns which have been put in staff notation (Ran Imole Re Jade and Iwo Ni Mo Gbokan Mi Soke Si Oluwa). 

With about 82 registered delegates from the Archdiocese and Dioceses in Ibadan Province, the resolutions at the Conference included points for action relating to discipline, appropriate attitude, continuous formation through seminars, rehearsals, trainings, especially on the diocesan, deanery, parish and grassroots level, and further contributions to the hymn corpus of Yorubaland, especially putting in staff notations the traditional Yoruba hymns, for a more uniform rendition of the hymns.

The Provincial Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Martin Oladiipo Badejo, the Provincial President, Mr. Patrick Temitope Adesuyi, at each point during the Conference, expressed words of appreciation to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, all the Bishops in Ibadan Province, for their support and encouragement, especially the Bishop in charge of Liturgical Music and Inculturation, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, and the Host Bishop, Most Rev. John Oyejola, who was represented by Rev. Fr. Joe Ayo Abe at the Opening Mass of the Conference. 

AKEDE IGBAGBO