Mozart Effect in Africa?

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Oct 13, 2007

The Mozart Effect is a term coined after a (debated) study seemed to indicate that listening to Mozart raises a person's IQ. The study was thought to be a break-through in justifying classical Western music lessons at a time when support for the arts was waning. However, many in the academic world felt it privileged Western classical music over several other interesting and worthwhile genres of music.

However, in Kenya, classical music lessons are on the rise. Parents want to give their kids the increased edge in intelligence that the Mozart Effect claims classical music provides. Other students just enjoy the relaxation that playing an instrument brings. Places such as the Kenya Conservatoire of Music have seen increased enrollment over the past few years. But the interest isn't limited to the classical genre: music stores are also selling more jazz instruments.

Will the increased interest in classical music stifle indigenous music forms? Perhaps an ethnomusicologist might worry, but any initiative that encourages personal participation in the music-making seems like a good idea.

For more information, please read the Business Daily Africa story.