Samuel Dare is the music and project leader of House of Excel, a christian music and creative talent group. In this exclusive interview with Dailyfamily.ng, he takes us through reasons why he opted for music after studying lucrative, computer science in Polytechnic.
Can we meet you?
I’m Samuel Dare Okunade, a covenant practitioner, and steward of mystery.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I studied computer science in Ronik polytechnic.
Why did you choose to go into Music?
I am into music for two reasons. To be part of the people who use their musical talents to worship God and also to train individuals who have the potential, to help them discover it and become fulfilled in it. So I am more of a teacher of music.
Group pictures of House of Excel -dailyfamily.ng
Can you tell us about your group, the makeup and how you got to assemble your team?
My group, House of Excel is an interdenominational group comprising of individuals from different denominations and different ministries including CAC, RCCG, Foursquare, Gofamint, King of kings evangelical ministry etc both in Lagos and outside Lagos, and we press to go internationally.
However, the house of excel has several departments including musical department, drama group, Information Communication Technology Department, sports, and Career. So anyone who is part of the house can find his/her field for the glory of God.
House of excel is non-profit making group but sponsored by individuals. So our training is free but strictly for the kingdom people, churches and ministries.
My group started from conducting a youth program in my church (king of kings evangelical Christian ministry, Pastor Amos Okunade).
THE GROUP MAKE UP
We had two to three youth programs in 2011 and distributed forms to people who attended if they want to be part of House of excel in developing their God-given gifts.
Then we as well went from church to church in 2011 and 2012 to train them in music and support their choirs, among the churches are RCCG, Foursquare, Triumphant etc. We started our outreach in 2011 but 2012 we started having members joining to develop their talents, hence we started running programs and training in 2012 and from 2012 we have started launching albums, books and the rest. So from 2012 till now makes it five years of establishment.
Why Gospel Music?
House of excel as a ministry. Our vision is to establish God’s kingdom and mission is to raise heroes (non-entity to celebrity) strictly for the kingdom of God through their individual talents, and for God’s kingdom, it has to be Gospel.
What has been your challenges as a gospel musician?
I don’t think I have any challenge because I have less expectation in terms of reward. All I do is to impact lives. I’m a multi-instrumentalist and the day I decided to be part of God’s ministry, I went on my knees and prayed “God I want to learn music and instruments to teach others, not for money making” and that’s kept me going till now.
Do you see any prospect for gospel music in Nigeria?
Of course, there is a prospect for Gospel music in Nigeria as long as we all remain in our calling not to go by our wisdom but divine direction.
What has been your sole message as a gospel music group?
My message as a Gospel minister is simply to lift people up from their condemnation and give them hope proving that the God of old is still real. I minister faith and hope.
What has been your challenge leading your team?
My challenge leading my group is separating the wolves from the sheep. Once people hear music they generalize but as soon as you become part of my group, we do thorough teaching scripturally and musically. So some would yield and some will rebel but at the end, we separate the sheep from the wolves.
How do you know when you become successful in your musical career?
How I know when I become successful is when I see those I’m leading become successful in their goals. Their success is my success.
What are you working on presently?
Presently we are working on shooting more video of our songs we produced so far and taking it to the media including shooting movies.
What is music to you?
Music is a way of expression. So in music, you find out the intention and expression of the singer. Whether to God, people, to himself or to the world.
What can you say about the Gospel Music in Nigeria? What progress do you think we are making so far?
Gospel music in Nigeria: We have developed a more advanced level. In aspects like sound quality, musical standard, and video shots. Nevertheless, we need to improve from mere chorus to life touching and transforming messages. We should not ignore the aspect of the message or allow the packaging and concept overshadow the message and imparting lyrics. We are not to move the crowd, we are to transform lives and that lies in our lyrics and expression.
We learned that House of Excel is dishing out something hot this Saturday. Can you tell us what it is?
We are celebrating 5 years anniversary and launching gospel music collections, praise worship video and my personal album called Hossanah.
Who are the people you are expecting at the launching?
We are expecting some choristers, pastors, and individuals
Thanks.
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