Professor Godwin Sadoh, Renown Ethnomusicologist ~ Phamox Musiq

Professor Godwin Sadoh is a Nigerian ethnomusicologist, composer, church musician, organist, pianist, choral conductor, and a prolific publishing scholar with over 100 stellar publications including 11 books. He was born in Lagos and had his formative days in music at the Eko Boys' High School, Lagos, where he was subsequently appointed to the position of school organist and choirmaster at the tender age of 16.

During his tenure, the young Sadoh directed several musical activities at Eko Boys that included a Christmas concert of Nine Lessons and Carols in December 1981. After graduating from Eko Boys, the young Sadoh founded and directed several choral groups such as the Golden Bells Choral, the Ile-Ife Junior Choir, and the Ile-Ife Choral Society. In addition, Prof. Sadoh concertized as a solo pianist playing recitals in Kaduna, Abuja, Ile-Ife, Lagos, and at the Maestro Christopher Oyesiku epic concert series at the University of Ibadan.

The don studied piano, organ, composition, and African music in Nigeria before proceeding to the United States for advance studies in music. His degrees include M.A. in African ethnomusicology from the University of Pittsburgh; M. Mus. in organ performance and church music from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; He received the Doctor of Music degree in organ performance and composition from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; making him the first African to earn a doctoral degree in organ performance from any institution in the world. In addition, Sadoh is the first Nigerian to ever earn a terminal degree (D. Mus.) in the field of music performance. All his predecessors, had their Ph.D. degrees in musicology.

It is noteworthy that in addition to the rigorous academic program at LSU, Prof. Sadoh published 25 scholarly articles during his graduate studies at that institution. His extensive research on African ethnomusicology, intercultural musicology, modern African art music, Nigerian church music, organ building, and composers, is published in reputable international journals in America, Canada, Europe, and the Middle-East. One of his books, Intercultural Dimensions in Ayo Bankole's Music, topped the bestseller list as No. 1 on Amazon in 2007. Prof. Sadoh's books have been catalogued in some of the most prestigious archival centers and university libraries around the world, including the Library of Congress--Washington DC, Smithsonian Libraries--Washington DC, Harvard University Library, Yale University Library, Columbia University--New York, Cornell University--New York, Dartmouth College Music Library--New Hampshire, Center for Black Music Research--Chicago, Bayreuth University Library--Germany, and the Music Library of the University of Pretoria--South Africa.

Prof. Sadoh has taught at several institutions of higher learning including Kentucky State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Courses taught include Music of Africa, Nigerian music, History of American Jazz, World Music, Music Appreciation, Seminars in Church Music, Theory of Music, Form and Analysis, Counterpoint, History of Western Music, Choral Conducting, Choral Literature, Composition, Piano, Organ, and Voice.

While in the United States, he concertized as a recitalist, accompanist, choral conductor, and Composer-in-Residence. He also served as organist and choir director at numerous churches in Nigeria as well as the United States. Professor Sadoh has composed for all the music genres–organ, piano, vocal solo, vocal duet, SATB choral, electronic, chamber, and the orchestra. His music has been performed and recorded in Birmingham, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Scotland, Tanzania, South Africa, and the United States.

Professor Sadoh is a recipient of the ASCAP PLUS Award for 10 years in a row in recognition of the publications and performances of his compositions worldwide. His biography is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who in the World, and the Contemporary African Database. Wayne Leupold Editions, Evensong Music- Media and Graphics, Wehr’s Music House and GSS Publications (All in the United States), are the publishers of his compositions.

Some of the compositions of Prof. Sadoh are:

Kabiyesi Hosana [O Mighty Jesus, Hosanna] by Godwin Sadoh

Keresimesi Odun de [Nigerian Christmas Carol] by Godwin Sadoh

Mimo, Mimo, l'Oluwa [Holy, Holy, Is the Lord] Arr. Godwin Sadoh

Ose Baba [Thank You Father] by Godwin Sadoh

Oluwa, Gbo Adura Mi [Lord, Hear My Prayer] by Godwin Sadoh

K'a Juba (Adoration), Godwin Sadoh

Ise Oluwa [The Work of the Lord] by Godwin Sadoh

Ore Ofe Jesu (The Grace of Jesus), Godwin Sadoh

The Holy City by Stephen Adams, Piano accompanist - Prof. Godwin Sadoh.

Finale from Nigerian Organ Symphony by Godwin Sadoh

Ijo Oba (Royal Dance) Godwin Sadoh