Emeka Nwokedi
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Emeka Nwokedi is a Nigerian
conductor Conductor or conduction may refer to: Biology and medicine * Bone conduction, the conduction of sound to the inner ear * Conduction aphasia, a language disorder Mathematics * Conductor (ring theory) * Conductor of an abelian variety * Cond ...
and music director. Since 1995, he has been the conductor and music director of Muson Centre. In February 1988, he co-founded Lagos City Chorale.


Early life and education

Nwokedi is from Ichida,
Anaocha Anaocha is a Local Government Area in Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria. Towns that make up the local government are Aguluzigbo, Agulu, Neni, Ichida, Adazi-Ani, Adazi-Enu, Adazi-Nnukwu, Akwaeze, Nri, Obeledu, with it’s headquarters at Ne ...
,
Anambra State Anambra () is a States of Nigeria, state in Nigeria. It is located in the South East (Nigeria), South-eastern region of the country. The state was created on 27 August 1991. Anambra state is bounded by Delta State to the west, Imo State and Ri ...
, southeastern region of
Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
. He graduated from the
University of Nigeria The University of Nigeria, commonly referred to as UNN, is a federal and public research university located in Nsukka, Enugu State, South-east Nigeria. Founded in 1955 by Nnamdi Azikiwe who was Governor-General of Nigeria between 1960 and 1963 ...
, Nsukka in 1981 with a degree in music.


Career

Nwokedi started his music career at a young age, practicing with the choir of his village Anglican Church at Ichida. After he left the university, he worked for
Voice of Nigeria The Voice of Nigeria or VON ( Yoruba: ; Hausa: ; Igbo: ; Fula: ) is the official international broadcasting station of Nigeria. History Founded in 1961, the Voice of Nigeria began as the External Service of the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corpo ...
and Radio Nigeria as a music producer and director. In 1992, he moved to Muson Centre and became a member of the Artiste Committee. In 1995, he founded the MUSON Choir and became the conductor and music director. In 2006, he became the pioneer staff of MTNF/MUSON Diploma School of Music. Nwokedi is the conductor and music director of Lagos City Chorale, Anglican Diocese of Lagos Mainland and All Saints Church, Surulere. He is a member, International Society for Music Education (ISME), Trustee of Nigerian Guild of Organists and official representative of Interkultur in Nigeria. In 2013, he was appointed, member, World Choir Council representing Nigeria. He served as a music lecturer at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education.


Lagos City Chorale

In February 1988, Nwokedi, alongside Senator Lere Adesina, founded Lagos City Chorale. The music group had their premiere concert in
Eko Hotels and Suites Eko Hotels and Suites is a five-star conference centre hotel in Lagos. History Established in 1977 as ''Èkó Holiday Inn'' and built on Victoria Island, it is the largest hotel in Nigeria. It was designed by architect Oluwole Olumuyiwa in co ...
in April 1988 and has won over 17 gold and silver medals, participating in international choral festivals in countries like China, USA, Austria, UAE and Germany. In July 2012, at the 7th World Choir Games in
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, United States, the group won 3 silver medals in three categories. In July 2013, at the 1st European Choir Games in
Graz Graz () is the capital of the Austrian Federal states of Austria, federal state of Styria and the List of cities and towns in Austria, second-largest city in Austria, after Vienna. On 1 January 2025, Graz had a population of 306,068 (343,461 inc ...
, Austria, the group won 2 gold medals and 2 silver diplomas, making Nigeria the only participating nation with the highest number of awards. In July 2014, at the 8th World Choir Games in
Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...
, Latvia, the group won 3 silver medals. In July 2015, the group won 3 gold diplomas and received an Award of Honor at the European Choir Games in
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, Germany for their "continued contribution to the ideal of international and peace initiative through choral music". The following year at the 9th World Choir Games in
Sochi Sochi ( rus, Сочи, p=ˈsotɕɪ, a=Ru-Сочи.ogg, from  – ''seaside'') is the largest Resort town, resort city in Russia. The city is situated on the Sochi (river), Sochi River, along the Black Sea in the North Caucasus of Souther ...
, Russia, the choir contested in the Champions Competition and won 1 gold and 2 silver medals. In July 2018, at the 10th World Choir Games in
Tshwane The City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (; ; ), also known as the City of Tshwane (), is the metropolitan municipality that forms the local government of northern Gauteng in South Africa. The metropolitan area is centred on the city of Pre ...
, South Africa, the group won silver and gold in different categories.


Awards and recognition

In 2019, Nwokedi received Ambassador of Music Award at the 17th Annual National Conference from the Association of Nigerian Musicologists (ANIM) in recognition of his "contributions to the development and sustainability of music education and musical practices in Nigeria". He received an Award of Excellence in promotion of African Choral Music in Diaspora at the ECOWAS Choir Festival in Togo and Award of Excellence in promotion of African Choral Music in Diaspora at the Africa Sings Festival, while also receiving a musical chieftaincy title as The Nana of African Choral Music at
Accra Accra (; or ''Gaga''; ; Ewe: Gɛ; ) is the capital and largest city of Ghana, located on the southern coast at the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2021 census, the Accra Metropolitan District, , had a population of ...
, Ghana by the Choral Musicians Union of Ghana and Geonaa Music Consult in recognition for "his showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and the African continent on several stages across the world".


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nwokedi, Emeka Nigerian conductors (music) Living people Year of birth missing (living people) Music directors People from Anambra State Nigerian musicologists