UTILIZING PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS TO PROMOTE CULTURAL DIVERSITY THROUGH MUSIC: A FOCUS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC AT LASUED

Abstract

This paper investigates the effectiveness of performance workshops in promoting cultural diversity within music 
education in Nigeria, focusing specifically on the Department of Music at Lagos State University of Education 
(LASUED). As a prominent hub for music education, LASUED offers students the chance to explore a diverse 
range of musical genres and cultural traditions. The study assesses the role of performance workshops in fostering 
practical, immersive musical experiences that encourage cultural diversity and facilitate intercultural interactions 
among students. By engaging with various Nigerian musical traditions. Including traditional folk music, 
contemporary Afrobeat, highlife, and Fuji music, which enable students to participate actively in their cultural 
heritage. This paper provides a comprehensive evaluation of the structure and impacts of these workshops, 
illustrating how they allow students to appreciate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage that enhances their musical skills 
and promotes significant cross-cultural dialogue. Performance workshops create an interactive platform for students 
to engage with a variety of musical experiences, which fosters understanding, respect, and collaboration among 
diverse backgrounds. By examining the Department of Music at LASUED as a case study, this research highlights 
the potential of performance workshops as a vital instrument for enriching music education and celebrating the 
diversity inherent in Nigerian musical traditions. Integrating such workshops into music education programs can 
significantly contribute to forming a generation of musicians who are culturally aware and globally minded.