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The writer contends that Kenya Music Festival is not merely an annual event-it is a cherished tradition that learners, teachers and school communities eagerly anticipate, but a season of discipline, creativity, teamwork and the celebration of talent.
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She alludes that the festival instils discipline, responsibility, commitment and resilience. Learners dedicate weeks and sometimes months to rehearsals, learning that excellence is achieved through consistency, patience and teamwork.
Every Second Term in Kenya’s school calendar comes alive with excitement. From ball games to indoor games and the Kenya Music Festival, schools become hives of activity as learners showcase their abilities beyond the classroom.
For many institutions, participation in the Kenya Music Festival is not merely an annual event-it is a cherished tradition that learners, teachers and school communities eagerly anticipate. It is a season of discipline, creativity, teamwork and the celebration of talent.
The Competency-Based Education (CBE) has rightly elevated the place of music and other creative arts by recognizing talent development as a key pillar of holistic education. This is a bold affirmation that education is not only about passing examinations but also about discovering and nurturing every learner’s unique gifts.
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato aptly observed, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” His timeless words remind us that music is far more than entertainment; it is a powerful instrument for learning, character formation and nation-building.
Participation in the Kenya Music Festival instils discipline, responsibility, commitment and resilience. Learners dedicate weeks and sometimes months to rehearsals, learning that excellence is achieved through consistency, patience and teamwork. Every successful performance is a product of sacrifice, perseverance and cooperation. Indeed, practice makes perfect.
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Music also provides a positive outlet for youthful energy. At a time when many young people face the dangers of drug abuse, negative peer pressure and excessive social media engagement, music offers a constructive alternative. It allows learners to channel their energy into creativity, build confidence and express themselves positively while doing what they genuinely love.
The festival is equally a classroom for leadership and life skills. Learners develop communication skills, emotional intelligence, self-confidence and the ability to work with others. They learn to appreciate constructive criticism, manage pressure and celebrate both success and failure with grace. These are competencies that extend far beyond the performance stage.
Perhaps one of the festival’s greatest contributions is promoting national cohesion. Kenya is richly endowed with diverse cultures, languages and traditions.
During the festival, learners perform folk songs, dances and choral verses from communities different from their own. In doing so, they learn to respect diversity, celebrate cultural heritage and appreciate the beauty of being one nation with many identities.
As the saying goes, “Where words fail, music speaks.” The African proverb, “A community that sings together stays together,” captures the unifying power of music. Indeed, music builds bridges where prejudice erects walls.
The Kenya Music Festival also has immense economic potential. Around the world, music festivals attract visitors, create employment and promote tourism. Kenya possesses a rich cultural heritage that can equally be showcased to international audiences.
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Professionally packaged performances could become part of Kenya’s cultural tourism strategy, helping to market the country’s diversity while supporting the creative economy.
Many successful Kenyan musicians first discovered and nurtured their talents while participating in school music festivals and choirs.
Artists such as Suzanna Owiyo, Mercy Masika and Guardian Angel have often acknowledged the important role that school music played in developing their musical abilities. Today’s festival participants may well become tomorrow’s celebrated composers, conductors, instrumentalists and performers.
The Ministry of Education deserves credit for sustaining the Kenya Music Festival as one of Kenya’s flagship co-curricular programmes. Equally, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) deserves commendation for recognizing and rewarding trainers whose learners excel at the national level through career progression and promotions. This recognition sends a strong message that excellence in co-curricular activities is just as valuable as excellence in academic achievement.
Behind every outstanding performance are dedicated teachers who sacrifice evenings, weekends and holidays to rehearse, mentor and inspire learners. Such recognition motivates more teachers to invest in nurturing talent and reinforces the value of holistic education.
Even so, the journey should not end with trophies, certificates, promotions or the prestigious gala performance at State House. Kenya should begin thinking beyond the festival itself. The Ministry of Education should establish a national digital archive of the best performances every year.
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Outstanding compositions, dances, instrumental works and original scripts should be professionally recorded, preserved and marketed through television, educational platforms and digital streaming services.
The finest performances should also be showcased during national celebrations, tourism expos, international cultural festivals and educational conferences. This would preserve Kenya’s cultural heritage while opening doors for young artists to gain national and global recognition.
The Bible recognizes the profound value of music. Psalm 150:6 declares, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Similarly, Colossians 3:16 encourages believers to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit.” These scriptures affirm that music is a gift that educates, inspires, heals and brings people together.
As Kenya continues implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum, the Kenya Music Festival should be viewed not merely as a competition but as a national investment in talent, culture, peace, education and economic development. It nurtures disciplined citizens, strengthens national unity, preserves cultural heritage and creates future artists and innovators.
An African proverb says, “A bird does not sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song.” Likewise, every learner who steps onto the festival stage carries a dream waiting to be nurtured.
The true success of the Kenya Music Festival should therefore not be measured solely by trophies won or rankings attained, but by the lives transformed, the talents discovered and the future leaders inspired. When Kenya invests in music today, it composes a more united, creative and prosperous nation for tomorrow.
By Astiba Kebong’o
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