A 27-man band, The Queen Beatrice Orchestra under the guidance of Engineer Ima Kagho recently had its first public performance before an impressive audience at MUSON Centre, Lagos. The event also doubled as the launch of the band’s maiden 12 -track album entitled Am Ready.

The orchestra was conceived in 2007 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Late Beatrice Kagho-Omodina (nee Eghagha) mother of Ima Kagho. Kagho-Omodina, an alumni of Hope Waddell Institute, Calabar was born January 19, 1929 and passed on June 27, 1957 leaving five sons.

For about two hours, the orchestra thrilled the audience with some of the best tunes traversing moods and genres including light classical, highlife and contemporary. The songs which were original compositions of Kagho include the title track Am Ready, and others like Left To Ponder, Just As You Said, Dantsiki, Horns for Today, Lost in The Sky, Ibadan, Halleluyah and Arrival among others.

The array of musical instruments on display as well as the exploration of different genres of light classical music underscored the versatility of Ima Kagho, the composer and arranger. The 27-man band is made up different sections such as vocals, violins, viola, flutes, cello, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombones, drums, keyboard, guitar (rhythm and bass), euphonium, saxophones and talking drum.For instance, in the rendition of Horns for Today, the use of horns was noticeable while the infusion of talking drum in Ibadan also enriched its classical tempo.

For Lost in The Sky, a piece dedicated to plane crash victims, the mournful mood prevalent also underscored the message of the song. Nkiru Andrew, the youthful lead vocalist of the band added his grace and prowess as well as colours to the performances.Another highpoint of the evening was the stellar performance of the father/ daughter combination of Prof Om’te and Mudiare Diachavbe. Mudiare’s piano solo rendition of Fur Elise, a popular tune by Beethoven was greeted with applause.

Her composure and confidence also grew with her vocal renditions in My Mother Bids My Hair (Hayden) and Some Enchanted Evening (Richard Rodgers) while her father manned the grand piano.Kagho who retired two years ago as Director of Engineering Services, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing immediately set to pursue his lifelong passion in music.

As a student at FGC, Ughelli, Kagho’s passion for classical music had been stirred when he learnt to play the piano. This was followed up when he took lessons in classic Guitar in the UK in 1981 where he had gone for academic pursuits. A 1971 graduate of the University of Auckland, New Zaeland, he joined the erstwhile Mid-Western Nigeria Civil Service in 1973 and successfully retired as a Director after over three and a half decades in service. Even at a ripe age of 62, Ima Kagho who now has grey hairs is not relenting on his love for music.

With a beam of satisfaction, Kagho said, “Music has been a part of my childhood especially classical music. The inspiration for this comes naturally. I just wake up from sleep most times and put my ideas on paper. From the harmony, I would begin to segment it into different sections of instruments.”“We have been rehearsing for two years to put the evening together. Although this is our first outing as a band but the dream is big.

We intend to make this a regular affair that will provoke the reawakening for classical music in Nigeria. We plan to take these unconventional places where people who have never heard about this genre of music will appreciate it. We also intend to set up independent orchestra in various parts of the country such as Abuja, PortHarcourt and Kaduna among others.”he said.He added, “The road to this stage has been full of lessons and mistakes especially during the album recording sessions but the experience has been rewarding.

As a band, we have evolved and we are growing better. The major challenge here is funding because the band has to be serviced. We are employing professionals who know their onions. We also use this medium to invite people of like minds to join us”The event which was chaired by Senator Fred Brume was graced by friends of Kagho from Old Boys Association of Federal Government College (FGC), Ughelli as well as a handful of expatriates.

Mark Nwakwere, a friend of the composer disclosed, “Ima’s passion for music has never been hidden since we were young, therefore we are not surprised at the level to which he has taken music. Compared to classical, light classical music is shorter, melodious, warm and generally complex. It can be played at dinner and has capacity to be appreciated among young people.”

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