An online listener posts a comment on twitter after listening to ‘Muhazi’ a tune from Mighty Popo aka Jacques Murigande. Within a flash of a second other followers flood his wall with comments expressing how much they too love the song. 

What was a private discussion finally became a platform for social debate, but at least it was evidence that music is an important element in people’s lives. Although some artists rise naturally, others have to be trained from music schools to even grasp concepts better.

In Rwanda the strategy to train more people in the art of music was addressed by incorporating music into the curriculum for technical and vocational education.

A music fan himself, Jerome Gasana, the director general of the Workforce Development Authority, (WDA) explains that government now plans to raise awareness to encourage more students enroll for music as a career.

The director general is only concerned that the task is not an easy one simply because certain stereotypes within society are still hinged to the old tradition of thinking that music is a sacred profession.

"It is not the only area, initially most people considered technical and vocation training as something for failures.

Surely a combination of such similar ideologies regarded music as an investment for the spoilt children which made it more difficult for people to pursue it as a career,” explains Gasana.

After designing the curriculum, a training institution was established, a decision which three years ago led to the establishment of Ecole de Arts Nyundo in Western Province. But what should be the first step when offering music?

Join the music school

The Nyundo School of music is a department under this school. Enrollment at the school currently stands at 90 students up from 30 students in 2013.

"When we established the music school, people hardly understood the aim. It was a bit hard because we started with 30 students, but we’ve now reached 90. Now, we are planning to increase capacity and have more people on board,” he adds.

Veteran local artiste and also music director at the school Mighty Popo, says that people should have a different mind when it comes to any vocational skills, and it should not only be about music.

"Music, like other practical skills is far more than what many people think. In developed countries, the music industry is among the first three aspects, which generates revenue towards the country’s economy. Apart from being pursued as a passion, it makes more sense when one has knowledge and skills about the field and I think this is the only way it can be taken as a serious career,” says Popo.

While enrolling for music courses in Rwanda, it is a fairly competitive process that happens after several stages and between November and December. A panel of judges decides the fate of the students for the three-year music course.

However, the number of entrants increases every year by at least 30, since government wants more students to take on the course as a profitable career.

Profitable investment

Being a passionate artist, Popo points out that the success of the music industry is a responsibility for everyone and is profitable like other activities.

"It is also another responsibility which the private sector should consider as an area of investment. Just like the way they invest in agriculture, real estate and other sectors. But it’s also everyone’s responsibility to promote this art,” he adds.

As part of efforts by government to solve the problem of youth unemployment, music was identified as another discipline to capitalize on.

Local artiste ‘Man Martin’ explains that through music he sought a career to sustain his welfare. He also argues that parents who discourage music only deprive their children of better income.

"I am the true example of what music has to do in one’s life. This is my lifetime career, I do it and I get a living out of it. Despite the fact that some young people undermine it, we can’t forget that there’s this misconception that our parents have. Some parents say studying law, medicine is the only way to make your life better, but those are not the only ways,” he explains.

A form of advertising

Derrick Gashegu, a senior five student from Lycee de Kigali observes that music is one of the best ways through which people can use to address many issues.

"Like other arts, music is an aspect that can easily be used to communicate to larger crowds. An artist is able to expose their feelings to the outside world through songs and as such can address important issues across the world,” he says.

Emmy Kangwege, a student from CBE- former school of finance and banking explains that music is a tool for brand ambassadors of big companies.

"It is a way through which musicians make huge earnings. Sometimes they are invited to big ceremonies to advertise for some companies,” says Kangwege.