Workshop Descriptions
What’s new for our 2024 Workshops: EARLY BIRD SPECIAL — Register before May 15
Level 1 World Music Drumming
For teachers, counselors, community recreation leaders, church musicians, and players interested learning how to implement the World Music Drumming Curriculum, written by Dr. Will Schmid, within a classroom and/or community setting. The Level 1 class introduces the lessons and units of the curriculum while emphasizing the traditions that inspire this approach to music making and music learning. Level 1 can be repeated. Workshop Text: World Music Drumming 20th Anniversary Teacher Edition.. Level 1 is offered at all of our venues (except Barcelona).
Level 2 World Music Drumming
For those who have taken Level 1 and wish to deepen their application of the World Music Drumming Curriculum as well as improve musical skills and teaching effectiveness. Each day, Level 2 participants work with a variety of faculty, including Sowah Mensah -- Ghanaian drumming, singing, movement, Ghanaian flute, adenkum gourds, and gyil (xylophone), and/or Josh Ryan -- Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Ghanian drumming, songs, and dance, and WMD faculty -- guiding participants in enhanced experiences with the curriculum and additional materials from other sources. Many choose to repeat this course. Level 2 participants will use the 20th Anniversary Edition (2015), World Music Drumming Curriculum. Level 2 is offered in Roanoke VA, Columbus OH, Cedar Rapids IA, Dallas TX, Elizabethtown PA, Nashville TN, Boston MA, Naples FL.
Level 3 World Music Drumming
For those who have taken Levels 1 and 2. Course content includes drumming, singing, and dancing from Ghana (Ga, Akan, Ewe peoples), gyil xylophone ensembles from Northern Ghana, Ghanaian flute playing, adenkum gourds, and Cuban/Afro-Cuban drumming, singing. Level 3 is taught by Sowah Mensah and Josh Ryan. While not required, it is strongly recommended that participants experience both Josh Ryan and Sowah Mensah during Level 1 and/or Level 2. No text required; however, participants are encouraged to become familiar with publications available at http://www.sowahmensah.com/books/ Level 3 is offered exclusively in the Cedar Rapids setting.
Drumming Up the Fun
This workshop is intended for early childhood and early elementary classroom and music educators, introducing modifications to the World Music Drumming curriculum. The workshop provides participants with ready-to-use drumming activities for preK-grade 2 and the skills and practice to create even more activities for your classroom. It explores a variety of World Music Drumming ensembles in their original versions, then modifies them for children ages 3-8 combining familiar songs and chants. Taught by Melissa Blum, this class also focuses on sound stories — a medium for introducing young children to playing techniques, improvisation skills, and respect for drums, world percussion, and other small percussion instruments. No text required. Drumming Up the Fun will be offered in Columbus OH and Bellingham WA..
Kids, Choir & Drums
This workshop is geared toward elementary and middle-level teachers of vocal music, including music educators, church group leaders, and community group leaders. Individuals with all levels of music instruction are welcome; previous drumming experience isn’t necessary. Lynn Brinckmeyer teaches this fun, information packed course, presenting strategies for singing (including reading through complimentary choral octavos), movement, and drumming. No text required. Complimentary octavos provided with support from JW Pepper and Hal Leonard publishing. Kids, Choir & Drums will not be offered in 2024.
Brazil: Drum, Dance, Song
Offered by internationally known music educator and clinician, Estevao Marques, this class celebrates the vibrant rhythms, sounds, textures, and musical essence of Brazil. Estevao presents the music of his homeland in ways that adapt immediately for classroom application. This class is ideal for participants who seek usable classroom games, songs, dances, drumming ensembles all presented through the expertise and experience of a culture bearer. No text required. Brazil Drum, Dance, Song will be not be offered in 2024
Festival Brazil!
“Festas Brasileiras” is a place where Brazilian popular culture meets the world of children through its music: It’s also the title of an exciting new work by Estevao Marques and Fabian Galli. Songs, dances and rhythms played in folk festivals are reinvented and rearranged to be taught in the classroom. The teaching methodology of this workshop includes interactive, creative and fun activities, with body percussion, musical games and alternative instruments that has been highly effective with students 6-14 years old (but is also popular with adults!). Included in Festas Brasileiras are 11 ensembles that combine choir, xylophones, percussion ensembles, and lots of dancing. Festival Brazil will not be offered in 2024.