African Music and Culture Workshops for Schools
Students Learn to Make and Play a Djembe, Talking or Bongo Drum
Oct 28, 2008
The benefits of inviting a venture such as African Connection to a school are many. When introduced to African drumming and percussion students experience a mind-opening musical adventure.
Who Is Tunde Solanke?
Tunde was born in African in a drum-making village. He made his first drum at the age of twelve and has gone on to become a master percussionist and drum maker. To share his skills with community groups and schools he created the dream called African Connection. This community venture operates from South Brisbane in Queensland. Australia.
He is a popular artist and has played and conducted drumming and drum-making workshops at the Woodford Folk Festival for 15 years, as well as many other festivals and fairs. Tunde performs and runs cultural events, school workshops, community centre workshops and corporate workshops all over Queensland.
African Drum Making Workshops for Community Centres
The atmosphere of Tunde's workshops is one of a relaxed, fun venture where participants create their own African drum. They can choose from a variety of styles such as Congo, Batá/Bembe or Djembe. When they have experienced making the drum of choice, the group moves on to learn the basics of African drumming.
Drum shells are imported from Africa by Tunde, and with his clear simple instructions, they are relatively easy to make. The creation of the drum starts at the preparation of the shell and skin, then working through the roping, tightening and decorative finishes.
Learning to play African music involves tuning into the beat of traditional African percussion.
Drum Making Workshop Sections
There are three sections to the community workshop.
It begins with
- making, by sanding, oiling, and stretching the skin
- and moves naturally to tuning & decorating
- and finishes with the accomplishment of learning to play a drum
Why Teachers Book Drum Making Workshops
Chill Out Sessions
Teachers often need to schedule chill-out sessions for youth. Sometimes kids just need to relax and unwind. The relaxation of this style of workshop means that the kids learn how to make something quite complex whilst having fun and relaxing.
People Society and Environment
Drum making sessions can be part of a comprehensive unit , where students learn about Africa. To compliment the musical activities the class may provide an African meal for lunch and come dressed in African clothes. In this way the class can be submerged in African culture while they learn about African music.
Holiday Programs
What a great way to construct a whole holiday theme. Child care centres and holiday camps could offer different kinds of related activities over the holiday period, after commencing the holiday workshops with a drum making session.
Shorter African Cultural Musical Sessions
If school numbers are too large for a drum making session, teachers can book an African Music and Culture Workshops for their school. Students are provided with an “hour of interactive African singing, African drum playing and African dancing.” The sessions can accommodate up to 100 students, and will be led by 2 experienced musicians from Africa. To top off the session instructors will perform for the students.
African geography, African history are brought to life through drumming and song while students experience the culture of African countries. African music and instruments from different areas are demonstrated. The instructors will explain how music is used in festivals and local ceremonies in African life. Such uses for drumming as 'naming, harvest, weddings and burials' are discussed.
Students have an opportunity to participate in a mock ensemble, as African drum players, singers and dancers. They will also learn a few traditional African chants, songs and rhythms, as African Connection workshops expose students to culture, history and geography.
