Illinois State University’s African Drumming and Dance Ensemble will showcase music from Ghana at 8 p.m. Friday, April 19, in Kemp Recital Hall. The performance is free and open to the public.
African-Style Drums
The concert will showcase music, songs, and dance of Asafo (warrior companies in Ghana), war, recreation, education, storytelling, and music therapy students’ application of African music. Ensemble members will perform music on instruments hand-made from metal (single- and two-tone iron bells), wood (drums of different shapes and sizes), gourds (adenkum and axatse), calabash (mwane), and the human body.
Performances will highlight how African music helps to develop polyrhythmic/polymetric sensibilities, mind, body, and soul, aural/oral skills, rhythmic acuity, musicianship, a sense of melodic/harmonic progressions, coordination, improvisational skills, healing, and hearing across music genres.
Audience members will be encouraged to participate through singing, clapping, and performing light movements.
For more information, contact Professor Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum, okaduon@ilstu.edu
