Renowned classical musician Lanre Delano is working to prevent the disappearance of liturgical organ music in Nigeria. After years of persistent advocacy and investment, he has successfully partnered with his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), to introduce the nation’s first certificate and diploma courses in organ studies.
Delano faced significant pushback when he first attempted to introduce modern digital organs to replace standard keyboards. He recalled a specific instance where a church committee balked at the cost of a digital organ until he demonstrated its superior technical range. He compares the shift to digital instrumentation to the difference between ocean travel and air flight, noting that digital organs provide immediate, majestic sound without the multi-year construction time of traditional pipe organs.
To support the new curriculum, the OAU Department of Music has established the Lanre Delano Organ Studies Room. Delano has already contributed his personal two-manual Allen organ to the school and has pledged to provide an additional instrument with help from donors and the Allen Organ Company, USA. The program is designed for intermediate musicians with existing piano skills, as proficiency in piano is necessary to master the instrument’s complex pedalboard and manual layout.
While acknowledging the rapid growth of technology, Delano remains confident that human musicians cannot be replaced. He argues that the emotional connection required to lead a congregation during worship is something that software and artificial intelligence simply cannot provide.
