Workshop (Class) Descriptions
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 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 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 prior to taking Level 3. No text required; however, participants are encouraged to become familiar with publications available at http://www.sowahmensah.com/books/
Drumming Up the Fun
Designed for educators working with children ages 3–8 and welcomes both first-time and experienced World Music Drumming participants. Experience original World Music Drumming ensembles, then discover how thoughtful adaptations can engage your youngest learners—while strengthening your teaching across all elementary grades. Throughout this highly interactive workshop, you'll actively learn and perform a variety of World Music Drumming ensembles in their original form before exploring engaging adaptations for preK–Grade 2 using familiar songs, chants, movement, and play. The workshop also explores sound stories—an engaging way to develop playing technique, improvisation, creativity, and respect for drums, world percussion, and other small percussion instruments. You'll leave with ready-to-use lessons, practical teaching strategies, and fresh ideas you can immediately bring to your classroom. No text required.
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, all proven to be 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.