MUEN 2690/3690/4690

African Music and Dance Ensemble
Prof. Michelle Kisliuk
email: mk6k@virginia.edu

Tuesday and Thursday 5:30-7:15
107 OCH

 

TA: Tracey Stewart tms5mw@virginia.edu

Office: 204 Old Cabell Hall
Office hours by appointment.
  

Prerequisite: None (admission by informal audition first day of class)


This is a practical, hands-on course focusing on several music/dance
forms from West Africa (Ghana, Togo) and Central Africa (BaAka
pygmies, Bagandou farmers), with the intention of performing during
and at the end of the semester.

These traditions include drumming,
dancing, and singing, all students are expected to try all aspects,
even if they then specialize only in a given medium for performance.
We will give special attention to developing tight ensemble dynamics,
aural musicianship, and a polymetric sensibility.  Concentration,
practice, and faithful attendance are required of each class member.
 
Attendance at all class meetings is required (any absences should be
explained, preferably in advance -- explanation, however, does not
mean that the absence has been excused).  Students who miss class are
responsible for learning the material missed before the next class
meeting.  More than two absences puts students at risk for losing a
half-grade for every subsequent absence -- barring true emergencies.

Grades are calculated based on a combination of ablility, hard work
(practice, improvement), comprehensive learning (accomplishment in
more than one area of drumming, dancing, singing), and group
particpation/intiative/contribution/leadership.

By mid-semester students will be offered an email
evaluation of their work in the course to date, and will be offered
suggestions as to how they might improve their standing.

There will be varied opportunities to perform throughout the
semester, including the major concert on Sunday evening, May 1.

Students are strongly encouraged to bring an audio or video
recorder to class to help with practice, and to dress comfortably for
dancing. 


These readings are also highly recommended:


Chernoff, John Miller.  1978. African Rhythm and African Sensibility 
  Univ. of Chicago Press.  

Locke, David  1996  "Africa" chapter [Chapter 3] in Worlds of Music  
Jeff Todd Titon, editor.  Schirmer books.  With CD. On reserve for
MUSI 309 

Kisliuk, Michelle. "Seize the Dance!"  BaAka Musical Life and the
Ethnography of Performance.  Oxford University Press. 1998  with CDs.
On reserve in music library and on sale at bookstore.


Michelle Kisliuk and Kelly Gross "What's the "it" that we learn to
perform? TeachingBaAka Music and Dance"  Forthcoming in Performing
Ethnomusicology, University of California Press.

Some online resources:  www.afropop.org   click at top menu on Hip Deep  look first for Seize the Dance!

and

http://www.fwalive.ualberta.ca/mediawiki/index.php?title=KinkaDrum.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEsP8H9jOds&feature=related

Also, see "materials" or "resources" page on this site.