Why African Drumming?
African drumming is both a feel-good activity and a learning tool. Students walk away feeling energised with a sense of participation and the satisfaction of being creative in a loud (but positive) way. Group drumming teaches the benefits of working as a team, and the benefits of both risk taking and trusting one another. It’s both an individual experience of self expression and a communal experience of achievement through group harmony, and studies have shown the stress relieving and often healing effects that drumming has
We teach rhythms which are instantly accessible and give a real and immediate sense of achievement that builds confidence. It’s something to be experienced
Aims
- Create a fun, non-intimidating environment which inspires learning,
- participation and is free of social barriers
- Provide a hands-on multicultural experience
- Introduce basic rhythmic concepts though African drumming, singing,
- dancing and body percussion
Typical Workshop Format
This a basic idea of how our standard school workshops are usually run. We can easily tailor our sessions to suit your aims and vision
We start with a short, energised performance to get everyone excited about the music
After briefly introducing ourselves and the instruments, we rip into the drumming. We warm up with a few rhythmic exercises which challenge and entertain before getting some polyrhythm happening. Time and class sizes permitting, we’ll get the kids to do a little freestyling too! Next we follow with dance. The idea is to replicate the way that drum and dance are intertwined in African culture: where there is drumming there is dancing! We show the kids some traditional and contemporary African Dance steps and incorporate some chanting and song as well
To wrap it up, we talk about the history and culture of the West African music and allow for question time
We focus on making the workshops as inclusive as possible, allowing the students to freely express themselves and have lots of fun!
Workshop and Performance Examples
Formats include one off workshops right through to full day programs with sessions across all year levels
- A workshop for a single class or year level
- Series of 50 minute Workshops to cater for several year levels
- Big, high energy Drum and Dance concert at an assembly for the whole school to enjoy
- Advanced classes for school percussion ensemble or music students
- 6 – 10 week Programmes
