A new school of music that opened at the weekend is a boon for the industry as it will help nurture great singers who can perform to international standards.

Speaking at the launch of the first ever music school in the country at Nyundo School of Arts ( Ecole d’Arts de Nyundo) in Rubavu District, last week, State Minister for Technical and Vocational Training Education Albert Nsengiyumva said government was committed to giving those who have talent the chance to hone their skills, sing and gain from music.

Officials said the school was long overdue, and will make it easier to groom talented Rwandan artistes to compete not only at local level but also at international stage.

Nsengiyumva said the Ministry of Education will jointly work with the Ministry of Youth and ICT and other partners to spot people with talent and make it productive.

"Our responsibility is to help talented people,” Nsengiyumva said.

"I see talent and passion to learn and do better. One of the things we can do is to help students at this school to benefit and contribute to the country’s development… we shall also help them record their songs in good studios.

"We will also help them perform on international stage to popularise their songs because in the process they will be carrying our national flag.”

Also to be set up at the music school is a cultural village that will be used to showcase Rwanda’s culture to visitors.

The minister said beyond learning, music students would be facilitated to entertain visiting tourists with their songs.

Boosting enrolment

Gerome Gasana, the director-general of the Workforce Development Authority, said they will work with their partners to increase the number of students joining the school.

Currently the school has 30 students, five of whom are girls.

Gasana said more than Rwf500 million has been spent on reconstruction of the school while Rwf300 million has been spent on buying musical instruments.

He said the school will have traditional music instruments to keep Rwandan music alive.

The school offers courses in various arts, including ceramic arts architecture.

It plans to introduce other courses such as stone carving and fashion design, according to Gasana.

"The journey is still too long as we still need qualified teachers to make this school of excellence and make our music professional and money generating,” he said.

Enrolment

The first batch of music students were selected after talent search across the country. All the students in the first intake were given opportunity to study for free.

The plan is to enroll competent students every year.

Students learn how to sing almost in all genres. They also learn how to play music instruments such as electrical piano, guitars, drum sets, small percussion among others.

In addition, they learn communication and entrepreneurship skills to prepare them deal with the outside environment while promoting their talents.

Officials appealed to upcoming musicians to uphold professional ethics and avoid things like pirating.Consolee Nyirandashimye, one of the students from Karongi District, said she was optimistic she would become a great singer upon completion.

"I have learnt how to play the drum, piano and know how to read notes. I can now compose a song using notes. I also learned entrepreneurship and I am optimistic I will become a profession musician,” she said.