Complete Level 1 training at the World Music Drumming Conference in Nashville, TN, to integrate West African, Latin and Caribbean drumming and singing with social emotional learning strategies that bring all students into the music-making process.
The first time Sowah sat down at a drum to teach us, excitement ran through my body. I knew I was about to learn from one of the best African drumming masters in America! Before Sowah entered the room, our American instructors, Patty & Paul, informed us that Sowah is a story teller and tends to talk more than play at first because he wants us to understand African culture before we play the music. I learned so much from his stories and his drumming!
During this course, I learned that I am a capable percussionist. Our phenomenal instructors Patty and Paul both complimented me for being on point and performing excellently throughout the week! I was asked to lead warm-ups on day three, which is a compliment in and of itself! I can be shy in new situations and I was happy that I stepped up to make connections and friendships with many music teachers and staff! I am delighted to have new professional connections all across the United States.
As we prepped for our concert, I was nominated by my peers to lead one of our performance pieces called Banuwa. This was the most difficult rhythmic piece we performed and I was very humbled to be nominated. Happily, it went off without a hitch and I received big hugs and congratulations after we performed! I also had the privilege of meeting the President of REMO Inc., Robert Shen, as well as the CEO of West Music, Ryan West! Both of these are prominent international music companies!
World Drumming lays out activities and methods for over 30 lessons! In music class, we have already started to learn drumming basics by using body percussion, reading rhythms on simple instruments and a performing an activity called What's Your Name on tubano drums. Once we have our basics down, we will learn Drum Ensemble 1 in each grade level. Younger grades will have to focus one thing at a time and simple rhythms, while upper grades can layer instruments and perform more complex rhythms.
Luckily, drums are already a very hands-on experience! Each class we will learn songs during their music class. Once a piece is performance-ready we will make recordings and possibly have "informances" for parents. An informance is an educational performance. Parents will be invited into the music room on a particular day. The students can perform for their parents, answer questions and then invite their parents to sit in and participate in the music making.
I am very excited to use World Drumming with our Harmony Club! This is a musical performance group of 4th and 5th graders. It is similar to choir but with more instrument playing and dancing. Our goal is to learn Drumming Ensemble 1 from the World Drumming Curriculum over the next few months. Then we will learn the song Take Time in Life and sing it on top of the drumming. I am hoping to teach the chorus of the song to our audiences and invite them to sing along as we perform! What fun!