A day in the life of a music educationist: Making music more than just an art

My name is Dr Benon Kigozi. I am the Music Director at Kampala International School Uganda (KISU). I am also a senior staff member of Makerere University, Department of Performing Arts and Film and I am a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Kololo. My day starts at 5am with a word of prayer. Later, I wake up my wife Julia and the children to have family prayer before we leave home. By 6am, I am dropping the children to Kampala Parents’ School after which I pass by Kabira Country Club Gym for exercise before I reach my place of work at 7am.

My daily schedule revolves around imparting skills. This involves giving my students tips and knowledge on how to play instruments, both western and African. Apart from reading music and analysing various music pieces from around the world, I supervise 10 staff members in my department.

Because of the dynamic nature of our department, I’m compelled to meet parents or guardians on a daily basis, to discuss the students’ progress as well as helping to determine the needs and priorities for the musical development of their children. I usually do this between 1pm and 4.30pm. At the University, I conduct most of the lectures in the evenings and on weekends.

Sometimes, my schedules change due to what I have to do after the working hours. In a day I have to make sure that I devote about one hour towards coordinating other career related responsibilities that stretch beyond boarders. These include my roles as president – elect for the Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education (PASMAE), I also coordinate the Uganda Society for Musical Arts Education (USMAE).

More still, I offer oversight to the Young Professionals’ Forum (YPF) of the International Society for Music Education (ISME) worldwide. It is still hard for people to realise the importance and value of developing a philosophy and process of music education.

The greatest achievements I have had in this field include the academic excellence I had through international institutions around the world thus giving me the basis of a successful career and an opportunity to represent Africa at the global level. I have also been able to inspire many people to join the music field.

I am organising an International Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education conference at Munyonyo next year. I am also plan to continue promoting the music making and performance amongst the younger generation through home recitals. My day usually ends around 10.30pm.