One of the students practicing drumming
Rwanda will conduct nationwide competitions to select a second group of students to join school of music located in Rubavu district, Western Province.
Through the Work Force Development Authority (WDA), the selection exercise will run from December 15-23at WDA main offices in Remera- Kigali.
March 2014 saw the birth of the first public vocational music school in Rwanda. Thirty students were recruited and have gone through heavy hands-on training in music instrument fundamentals, vocal technics, music theory, music traditions and music business practices.
Selection will be done in all provinces and Kigali city as follows; Western province on December 15 at IPRC West, Southern province on December 16 at IPRC South, Kigali Dec 17 and 18 at IPRC Kigali, Eastern province on December 19th at IPRC East.
The selection exercise will also take place at Gishari Integrated Polytechnic December 20 respectively and on December 22, in Northern Province at Tumba College of Technology.
Final competitions are scheduled for December 23rd at petit stade Amahoro, starting at 2pm.
The Director General of WDA Jerome Gasana noted that the music school was set as a role model that can inspire private investors who wish to put up similar schools.
He added that students are being trained to meet international standards, based on curricula used, trainers and will also be exposed to regional and international music competitions.
The first batch of 30 students has only 5 females and according to Jacques Muligande, they also need 30 students for the next intake.
The school plans to have a special day reserved exclusively for female competitors in Kigali.
Candidates for these competitions must have minimum 9 Year Basic Education level, music talent, basic English understanding and a professional career in music.
Manufacturing various musical instruments using skills from other departments at “Ecoled’Art de Nyundo” is another initiative being developed.
Music students have a choice to study for one year to obtain a TVET certificate level 1 or 2 years to obtain a certificate of level 2 and even 3 years for level 3 certificate (Diploma).
Muligande said that all the 30 students in the first intake have decided to go for certificate 2 program.