I joined the UB Choir in October 1998, where I sang Alto. I was later on transferred to Tenor after some voice test and part re-allocation was done. I did not know how to read Sol-fa or Staff Notation, and decided to undergo rigorous training in music, where I studied music under the guidance of a mentor, one of the assistant music directors at that time. One year later (1999), I was appointed Part Leader for Tenor because of the level I had already attained in music at that time.

The next year (August 2000), I had started assisting the Music Director in his absence, especially as he was graduating and was sometimes absent. In the elections of November 2000, I was elected Music Director and served in this capacity for a year, where I was re-elected for another term. I served this second term till November 2002, and had to hand over since I had also just finished my undergraduate programme.

In October 2004, I started my post-graduate programme and was again elected Music Director in November, where I served till January 2006 and handed over as I had also finished my post-graduate programme.  Since then, I had been the Technical Adviser to the Music Directors and a Trainer of the Choir.

All through my life as a member of the choir and as Music Director for more than three years, I underwent music training under the tutorship of many of Cameroon’s leading personalities in Music, like Mr. Peter Kwo (the Church Musician of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon) and Mr. Ndumbe Mosaso of the University of Buea. The music training I went through finally earned me a Grade 6 Music Attestation issued by the University of Buea after a Grade 6 training and assessment by Mr. Peter Kwo, at the invitation of the University of Buea administration.

My music life in the University of Buea Choir had been very fun-filled and enriching, as I came in contact with people of all walks of life – great and small, proud and humble, rich and poor, etc, and also people whose humourous nature taught me that “laughter is music for the soul.”

As at 2009, I seem to be the oldest-serving member of the UB Choir, who had seen, for 11 years now with no break, how the choir has passed through thick and thin.

Presently, I teach Physics and Word Processing (Computer Science), and also double as Dean of Studies in the secondary school where I teach in Buea, and Computer Studies in some Computer Training Institutes in Buea, and also do private teaching in computing.

PROFILE SUMMARY

October 1998:   Joined the UB Choir, sang in Alto and was later on transferred to Tenor.

November 1999 – Nov 2000:     Served as Tenor Part Leader

August 2000 – Nov 2002:      Music Director of the UB Choir during my undergraduate programme

November 2002 – Nov 2003:      Technical Adviser to the Music Director

November 2004 – Jan 2006:        Music Director of the UB Choir during my post-graduate programme.

January 2006 to present:       Technical Adviser of the Choir, and still member of the choir.

Presently:         Physics and Computer Science Teacher, and Dean of Studies at the secondary school where I teach.

2 Responses to “OBASI MARINUS”