Milton Randall WorkshopsMilton Randall's Afro-Brazilian Drum Experience
Recommended Example Schedule 9:00 – 10:20am Target Group (Grades 6 & 7, or the two oldest grades) Educational Goals Students will achieve the following learning objectives: 1. Listening skills (Capacity: Up to 150 Students per Session) This workshop provides a unique study of popular music genres using a combination of African and Brazilian (which has deep roots in West African music) dance, drum, song, and communication. Students explore the influences of African drumming with our modern popular music and culture of the last century. As Milton studied in a remote undeveloped village in Ghana, West Africa, he realized drumming was not only used in music but was a spoken language and a great communication tool. The call and response patterns of many genres such as blues, samba, and country swing music (via blues) can trace its roots to the linguistic nature of African drumming. Learning music as a language is a main component to Milton's presentation. To learn the drum language and grooves each student will have an African style drum. A major emphasis involves offering a positive, comfortable, and enjoyable learning environment. Format (One day in length with suggested schedule) 9:00 a.m. The target performance group arrives, usually Grade 5 or higher, though the workshop performance has been done with students as young as Grade 1. A brief explanation and demonstration of how drums can communicate is followed by learning call and response drumming (conversational patterns). Each pattern is associated with a spoken English phrase so students can put meaning to patterns. This is followed by rhythmic patterns from west Africa which lays the foundation for dancers. Students learn three or four Brazilian call and responses (again associated with English phrases) interspersed with an African drumming pattern. Then, students learn three or four African or Brazilian dance patterns associated with each call and response. Students review the short arrangement until scheduled time has ended. After a break, Milton teaches various age groups of children in 30 minute segments. Grade K-2 students learn a shorter call and response sequence and play drumming games (i.e, simple math answers to questions). If students are able, they play an African dance groove pattern and learn a conga line as a dance. Throughout the day, as the age groups get older, more rhythmic material is presented. After lunch, the performing target group returns to learn more material for the performance assembly. 2:00 p.m. A school assembly is organized where students run a 30 minute performance for the school. The final dance involves an invigorating conga line where teachers and students participate. Milton gives the drum signal for dancers to return to the drums while students and teachers return to their seats chanting “1,2, go sit down.” If time allows, there is a short question and answer period.
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