The Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) annual Christmas concert was held on Sunday December 4, at the Shell Nigeria Hall in MUSON Centre. The Choir and Orchestra conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi, started the show with “Joy fills our inmost heart today” with the audience participating in the singing. Other songs by the group included In dulci jubilo, Keresimesi ode, Angels from the realms of glory, a solo – O happy shepherds by Michael Haydn sung by a lyric soprano – Ifunanya Anekwe; .G.F. Handel’s “For unto us a child is born” rendered by the choir and orchestra and Twelve days of Christmas. Sir Emeka Nwokedi displaying his award at the MUSON Annual Christmas Concert in Lagos. At the break, they played With Babylon to Bethlehem, a musical scripted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi. Then a storyline of the miserable life the Israelites lived while in exile in Babylon, before a prophet appeared and admonished them to truly seek God with all their hearts. The Israelites became remorseful and turned to God singing Va Pensiero (song of the Hebrew slaves) taken from the Opera Nabbuco by Giuseppe Verdi. Another rendition “By the Rivers of Babylon” made popular by Boney M. This was followed by “Comfort ye my people, speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem that her warfare is accomplished”, followed by “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son”. Others were “Ave Maria” by Bach/Gounod. As Mary, played by Victoria Ajimah delivered her child, there was a rendition of “O Holy Night”. The surprise of the evening was an outstanding leadership award given to the Maestro Sir Emeka Nwokedi by the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Choir in recognition of his immense contribution towards individual talent development and overall development of choral music in Nigeria.
