Malagasy brass band musicians are organizing to provide a new framework for their profession. On Tuesday, at Ivokolo Analakely, the ‘Vovonan’ny Mpitsoka Mozika’ (Brass Musicians’ Platform) officially presented its creation, already comprising seventy groups mainly from the Highlands, as well as the Vakinankaratra, Amoron’i Mania, Bongolava, and Androy regions. The platform also includes eight female musicians.
Professionalization is their main priority. Training in music theory, instrumental practice, instrument maintenance and manufacturing, as well as musical composition are planned. The collective also wishes to standardize service contracts for weddings, famadihana (exhumation ceremonies), and other events.
The cost of instruments remains a major obstacle. A good quality trumpet can cost up to 1.5 million ariary, prompting members to seek state support to facilitate imports. ‘It is difficult to make a full living from this art,’ notes Iavoko Ramanitrarivo, head of internal communication and press at Star, due in particular to the seasonal nature of the activities: contracts are concentrated during the dry season, while the rainy season is devoted to agriculture and livestock.
The collective also aims to represent Madagascar internationally and to create an annual ‘Mozika Be Festival,’ featuring trumpet training and experience exchanges. The Ofnac (National Office of Arts and Culture) welcomes this initiative and plans to collaborate with the National Academy of Arts and Culture for training. Membership in the Omda (Malagasy Copyright Office) is also encouraged so that artists can benefit from the rights due to them.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-20 05:39:07 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/musique-les-fanfaristes-se.html