This subject introduces BMus students to music and dance in West Africa. Through weekly rehearsals culminating in an end-of-semester performance, students learn to perform traditional rhythmic patterns using drums, bells, and their bodies; students also have the opportunity to learn traditional dance steps.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
perform basic rhythmic patterns in West African traditional music and dance;
work cooperatively as a dancer and instrumentalist in a West African percussion ensemble;
demonstrate basic competency as a performer of music and dance traditions from West Africa.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed:
an openness to new ideas about music;
the ability to work cooperatively in a music ensemble;
the capacity to think critically and independently as a musician;
an informed understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.