The Music of Africa Workshops

Delivered by the Director and Assistant Director of Music from Ipswich Prep School - The Music of Africa Workshops were held at four local primary schools during October 2021. 

 

Aims

The aim of each two hour workshop was to introduce children to African drumming, but also to inspire them to learn more about musical performance as a whole. 

Within each workshop the children were introduced to: a variety of instruments; the importance of listening and watching whilst performing; what certain hand signals mean and also that our own bodies can be used as instruments. 

Resources

All of the instruments were provided by Ipswich Prep School. The participating primary schools were sent backing tracks and lyric sheets ahead of the workshops so the children were able to rehearse beforehand. 

The African drumming piece the pupils learnt was called Mmbira and the song was 'Circle of Life' from The Lion King. 

Pupil Involvement

The participating pupils ranged from Year 5 - Year 6.