New studio to boost local music industry

UNDERTAKING music as a professional career in the country has always been a nightmare, especially due to lack of music schools and good studios. However, that may be now history after the launch of a state-of- the-art music studio in Kigali. French Institute of Rwanda (IFR), officially unveiled a new music studio on Thursday, in a ceremony that attracted artistes, music professionals, comedians and music lovers.The new studio is oriented on percussion and guitars and features two drums, two keyboards, two acoustic guitars, two electronic guitars and music mix software. All Rwandan artistes are welcome to use the facilities.Deputy Director of IFR, Maurice Brouard, told the media that the studio would provide a unique environment in the Great Lakes Region and become a model in East Africa. The French Institute of Rwanda has different initiatives such as hosting of master classes on vocals, drum, guitar and piano with famous artistes such as Sia Tolno (Guinea, Prix RFI Musique 2011), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali, guitarist), Maurice Kirya (Uganda) and Jacques-Greg Belobo (Germany, bass baryton), to boost local music standards.“All these artistes will do residence performances with the local artistes. For example, we are bringing one guitarist called Vieux Farka Toure from Mali in October. And when he comes, he will share his experience with Rwandan guitarists,” Diana Ramarohetra, Secrétariat Général IFR divulged. “When people share experiences, they improve their talent – so this is one thing about this studio. Our objective is generally to promote the artistes,” she added.The purpose of the newly launched music studio is to improve local talent. Ramarohetra disclosed that this year, 10 groups of artistes will be selected by professionals in culture: “At least each group will have a minimum of four musicians and the artistes selected will be able to use the studio for free to create their music.” “This is a very good initiative and the studio will help artistes to produce live music. Normally, we use keyboard synthesists that often adds complexity to algorithms in an effort to make the music more interesting,” singer Irene Gaby Kamanzi, mentioned. “However, this studio will help us improve the quality of our music. The instruments are unique, for example, the guitar bass, which produces live music. These instruments allow the voice to come out naturally.”“The studio is also large enough and now artistes can be able to practise with the microphones on, as if they are on stage,” Gaby added.Singer/actor, Aimable Twahirwa commended the French Institute of Rwanda for the initiative – calling for more of such schemes to prop up the budding local music industry.

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New studio to boost local music industry