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978-263-0108

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Hands-on Workshops

TONY VACCA WORKSHOPS

Multi-Culti Rhythm Ensemble: Participants learn to play a percussion composition. The instruments usually include djembe drum, balafon, tuned bells, shekere, talking drum, gongs, and drum set. Students and faculty work together and all skill levels are welcome. Each participant has an instrument, a part and a voice in creating a band, one of the best forms of teaching teamwork, concentration, and being alert to visual and auditory cues. (Grades K and up)

Math of Rhythm: It takes mathematical awareness to go from the physical power of sound into building sound into rhythm, rhythm into songs, and songs into a powerful experience. We start with call-and-response mimicry and then move into more literal mathematical representations of what makes rhythm so attractive. Using simple symbols and numbers in a graph-paper grid to demonstrate rhythm, syncopation, and polyrhythm, we then apply it by “writing” out and reading rhythms that we invent, weaving them into a short composition. The goal is to create an awareness of the clarity and exactness required for a rhythm to be effective, and for the player to comprehend how it is built. This leads to discussions of sequences, patterns, and fractions demonstrated with concrete examples. (Grades K and up)

Science of Sound: We explore the nature of sound and vibration in the creation of music and the powerful effects that the sounds we call music have on our bodies and minds. Using giant Paiste gongs to demonstrate vibrations so huge that you can hear, see, and feel them, we create a gong composition to apply and experience what we have discovered. Basic principles of physics, sound waves, instrument size, and construction are some topics discussed. (Grades 2 and up)

Rhythm, Word Drum: In this workshop we create poetry and spoken word pieces together. We then add music and/or chant around the words and see what develops. We demonstrate, teach, and encourage participants to call on, test and develop their language skills and their understanding of the rhythm-word connection. Find your voice, tell your story, know your history, and embrace your responsibility to yourself and your community. This is a lot of fun with teachers! (Grades 3 and up)

LOGISTICS

  • Workshops are one hour (can be adapted if necessary)

  • Require about 16’ x 20’ performance space (cafetorium, stage, gym, outdoors)

  • Need to be set up in same location as any subsequent performance

  • 30 to 40 students or faculty participants

  • Six chairs

  • Flip chart or white board for Science of Sound

  • Allow 15 minutes between programs

  • Be aware of the sound level for neighboring classrooms

  • Additional artists may mean simultaneous workshops are possible

TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

  • World Music: Playing music from more than one musical, cultural perspective at once. We look at and demonstrate combinations of genres, instruments, and languages.

  • Math: The complex polyrhythms played involve practical knowledge of math and geometry. Both principles are used to create a chart from which students learn to read and play these patterns.

  • Science: The physics of sound as demonstrated with music and how instrument shapes affect outcomes.

  • English/Language Arts: We work with, create, and perform poetry or rhythm poetry.

  • Social Studies: We discuss and demonstrate the confluence of cultures at work in America that shape our music and reflect who we are. May also include discussions on slavery, colonization, forced migration, etc.

  • History: Hands-on demonstrations of the impact of West African culture on American language, thought, and music.

ABDOU SARR WORKSHOPS

Abdou is a master teacher of the sabaar and djembe dances from Senegal, West Africa. He is Senegalese and can speak to the culture and life in Senegal and his journey to the U.S. with your students. The students will become proficient in the dances and will be able to perform them for their peers. (Grades K-College and ALL abilities)

LOGISTICS

  • May be inside or outside

  • May be in a classroom setting

  • May need a sound system

  • Performance area open for movement

MASSAMBA DIOP WORKSHOPS

Massamba offers classroom visits with students to discuss topics such as global citizenship, where his music has taken him around the world, discussions of his Muslim religion, the Wolof language, life in Senegal, West Africa and nearly any direction the educator wants. In special instances, drumming workshops may be offered.  (Grades 3-College)

 LOGISTICS

  • Can travel from classroom to classroom

  • No need for any mic