Afro-Classics from Kenya: a special case of the Luo: 1. Nyar Jodongo, 2. Orutu Overture.

Abstract

The study aims at establishing various aspects of Western music that could merge with aspects of Luo music to objectively produce arrangements and compositions of Afro-classic works.

Aspects of the two cultures were identified, established, and merged. These included melodic line, intervals, rhythms and note groupings. Some aspects of music that were necessary from the works but were absent in music of either culture were incorporated. For example, harmony, dynamics, notation, bars and bar lines, time signature and tempo (Western); speech rhythm and syllabic accents (Luo).

Chapter One, the general introduction deals with the statement of the problem, objectives, rationale, scope and limitation, theoretical framework, literature review and methodology. Chapter Two discusses composition as an art in music creation. Chapter Three is the creative arrangement, Nyar Jodongo; the choral work. In the work attention has been put on the syllabic accent and intonation, which govern the pronunciation of Luo words. The voice parts are written to adopt the traditional flow of the Luo syllables. Chapter Four is the creative composition, the Orutu Overture. This is an instrumental work where the luo and Western musical aspects are merged.

Finally, Chapter Five gives a brief summary and conclusion on the merger of the Luo and Western musical aspects for arrangements and compositions.