Arnold-Miller Heritage Music Institute
Ewe Traditional Music with Nani Agbeli
Adult Master Classes
Description: Participating adults will learn Gahu, a foundation piece from Ghanaian Ewe drum/dance literature. Participants will be able to learn drumming on the sogo, kidi or kaganu drums, and other percussion instruments that include the axatse and gankogui. Students will also learn correlating dances and songs. Students will also learn Ewe history that is inscribed in each piece, and general Ghanaian cultural and historical information.
Program Days: Tuesday: 6:00 – 8:00 pm, March 21 – May 16
Entry Requirements: Open to the public. Participating students must have an interest in learning a traditional African music/dance form. Music/performing arts educators must be committed to creating a lesson plan for students using information gained from the class.
Middle School Workshops
Description: Participating students will learn two pieces from Ghanaian Ewe drum/dance literature: Agbekor and Gahu. Students will be able to learn drumming on the sogo, kidi or kaganu drums, and other percussion instruments that include the axatse and gankogui. Students will also learn correlating dances and songs. Students will also learn Ewe history that is inscribed in each piece, and general Ghanaian cultural and historical information. This program will be offered at STEM Middle Academy in Springfield.
Elementary School Workshops
Description: Third or fourth grade students will learn to perform Gahu, a foundation piece from Ghanaian Ewe drum/dance literature. Students will learn the background and history of the piece, about Ewe history, and Ghanaian culture and history. Students will be able to learn drumming on the sogo, kidi or kaganu drums, and other percussion instruments that include the axatse and gankogui. Students will also learn correlating dances and songs. This program is taking place weekly at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Springfield and E.N. White Elementary School in Holyoke.