World Music Drumming

Madison Middle School

This grant request is to continue a world music drumming program initiated at Madison Middle School by Pat Knaus in 2002-03 using drums owned by the Eugene 4j school district. Presently, the school district owns four sets of drums that are on a six-week rotation among elementary and middle schools. Ms. Knaus has used the drums successfully in settings from 3rd-12th grade, including a summer musical theater camp!

The World Music Drumming curriculum, developed by master teacher, Will Schmidt, is an amazingly attractive program to middle school students. The program has gained popularity throughout the United States from elementary through high schools, although the original curriculum was developed for middle schools.

Madison Middle School now has a music course that is a perfect setting for this program. The classis using one of the district's set of drums, but will have to pass them on in October.

Why is this project important?

Music is fundamental to all cultures and opens a door to greater understanding of those cultures.The World Music Drumming curriculum is focused on West African and Latin America music, thus enabling us to expand our students' cultural competence. Learning and playing world music is attractive to a broad spectrum of middle school age students, but has a special appeal to students not drawn to the typical music offerings of Band, Orchestra, and Choir. It is a program accessible to students who, for financial reasons, may not be able to participate in Band or Orchestra.

Who, and how many, will be served?

Hundreds of students will have an opportunity to study African and Latin American music via an elective class that would use the drums. Eventually, a drum ensemble may develop for students with extra interest and commitment. Like the jazz band, that ensemble would play for school assemblies, concerts, and other community events.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

The music offerings at the school would increase immediately, and that alone would indicate success. We would track the number of students signing up for the class to see if the numbers rival that of band, orchestra, and choir.
Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?
Yes. Presently, the music program offers three levels of band, one of orchestra, one of choir, and a music elective. Creating a World Music Drumming elective would add an alternative music group for students in the traditional music courses, as well as those not drawn to band, orchestra, or choir.

How will the funds be spent?

2 10" Tunable Tubanos (high pitched congas); 4 12" Tunable Tubanos (medium pitched congas); 2 14" Tunable Tubanos (low pitched congas); 1 12" tunable Djembe (solo/teacher use); 1 16" frame Drum; 6 Rattles;1 Medium gankogui ( double bell from Ghana) ;1 Large gankogui (double bell from Ghana) ;1 Cow bell; 1 Pair claves; 2 Pair maracas;1 Guiros with sticks; 1 teacher's book (World Music Drumming ); 1 reproducible student book.