The intention of holding a series of classes is to enable students to learn a complete piece and then perform it for their school! Elementary and secondary students will be playing traditional Zimbabwean music adapted for their skill level.

Kids will develop:

rhythm and melody dexterity coordination a trained ear

concentration emotional focus an understanding of African music

and of course, the enjoyment that comes from playing music!

Organizing a Class Series Is Easy!

I suggest a group of students receive 8 classes over a 3 to 4 week period depending upon your particular school's allocation of time. The following example can be used to illustrate how the series could work for you: A school has 3 groups of grade 6 and 7's currently taking music twice a week. Using their present schedule, the 3 groups could take consecutive classes in a multipurpose room or gym where the instruments could be left set up for the 3 classes. Class time could be 40 min to 1 hr 15 min. Each week there would be a total of 6 classes taught, (2 classes per group), giving each group 8 classes over 4 weeks. Each group could learn a different piece to perform!

An ideal class size has between 10 and 15 students, however, music classes will accommodate up to 30 students. (There may be switching involved where half the class learns at a time.)

One thing that makes an artist in residence program very rewarding for the kids is when their music teacher gets involved by attending a workshop with the artist prior to the residency itself to learn parts of the pieces that will be taught. (A pro-development day works great.) At Cook Elementary, Eric Hartman did just that, introducing his music students to the pieces using some orff xylophones he had access to. He also played a significant role during the residency classes by assisting and also by helping the kids practice after the classes. His students were able to learn 3 pieces and perform them at the end of the residency!

Pricing

Artist-in-Residence pricing is based on $75/hour (Canadian). Accommodation, meals and travel add $100/day. Expenses are shared among schools if more than one school is involved.

Envision A Marimba Ensemble In Your School!

A marimba building project for students within their woodworking / science / art courses can be part of an artist in residence program and could supply your school with instruments for ensemble playing. By first studying the science of sound applied to marimbas and then making an instrument as a combined woodworking / art project, students will learn that science, technical skill, and art are part of the craft of an instrument builder. This course is taught to groups with a demonstration and practical lesson of each phase of the building process followed by students completing sequential assignments till the instruments are completed. The course follows the booklet on marimba building written by Mr. Palmer which will be available through the B.C. Teachers Federation. Please contact me for further details.