From the publisher’s desk
An appointment proposed weeks earlier was finally scheduled for Sunday, October 4, 2020. The reporter, who had the options of engaging his interviewee, Seraph Dare Fashola, via a phone call, as well as other available mediums, rather resorted to meet him in person. Of course, there would not have been a better way to engage with one of the rarest musical talents the C&S church can boast of. The duo agreed for 3pm.
It was exactly 3:01pm that the reporter arrived the popular Kayode street in Abule Ijesha area of Lagos, to keep up with the appointment. No sooner had he put a call through to announce his arrival, the host emerged from a compound which housed The Holy Church of Cherubim and Seraphim, where he also worships. Obviously, the light skinned music ace was yet to settle down after church service, as he could be seen donning his prayer gown. He would later usher the reporter to his apartment, which is very close to the church premises.
From whatever point of view one chooses to describe the person of Dare Fashola, the conclusions are bound to be similar. And this has to do with his calm, unassuming and receptive nature. This, notwithstanding, his rich knowledge of the rudiments of music; that which he practically brought to bear while the interview lasted.
Although, the reporter had calculated that the interview would not exceed an hour. But this wasn’t so, as he was awestruck by the depth of his host’s disclosures, that he momentarily shut out the idea of being time conscious. To simply put, Seraph Dare Fashola is richly endowed such that you can barely sap him of the knowledge of music he possesses, as well as the luxury of information he readily provides upon questioning. As a matter of fact, you cannot have enough of him at a sitting. A member of Acts of Seraphs editorial board who joined via a phone call some moments into the session could as well attest to this, having asked him an array of questions.
Meanwhile, what was meant to be an interview session inadvertently turned out to be a learning session for the curious reporter, as the interviewee intermittently reflects on some of the basics of music. These include the tonic solfa, the proper use of notes in our hymnals, as well as the three core aspects of church music, which he highlighted as Sacred, Secular and Chant.
All these and many more became additional knowledge the reporter acquired in the course of the conversation. After all, nothing less is expected of a music tutor who may have seen himself in a teaching position, already, and not granting an interview. Besides, the reporter can now boast of somewhat knowledge of the fundamentals of music he has learned. The session also had his morale boosted that he felt like taking a shot at music right away. That’s on a lighter note, though. But realistically, and without mincing words, his teachings can be endearing, such that you fall in love with music, unconsciously.
Thanks to the wife who made the encounter hospitable, even as the interview mood soon lightened considerably when the host offered to play his new single, “Gb’ori Soke” for the listening pleasure of his guest. Coincidentally, the single, which featured one of C&S gospel sensation, Seraph Adedayo Sekere, and produced by Dimeji Onansanya, was due for release the following day. It is also worthy of note that his debut single “Emi Orun” topped the music streaming and audio distribution platform – Audiomack for six weeks after its release.
Seraph Dare Fashola who holds the title of a Senior Apostle is, without doubt, an enigma in a world of his own. He held sway at the C&S Lagos State Central Choir. A music producer and composer per excellence. In the event of his name popping up at any given time; what readily comes to mind is – music. But you may also wish to know that he is a consummate writer and a fervent preacher of the word of God.
More so after the interview, the reporter deduced that Seraph Dare Fashola has done more, musically, for people than he has done for himself. And you know what? He derives joy in it.
This piece, in actual fact, wasn’t meant to come up in any way, but it was rather informed by the dimension the whole interview took. The excerpts is next to come after this. Stay connected.
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