African Drumming Workshop

By Adam Messenger

Once a week during Term 3 and 4, a class of fourteen Year 8 Music students have been participating in an African Drumming Workshop called Loud N Raw. It is run by BHCS drum teacher, Nick Jackman, and Teresa Fraraccio, who take the workshop to various schools.

Each class, the students each play a djembe as well as other traditional African percussion instruments. At times students are also encouraged to improvise with their own rhythms. Students are gaining an appreciation for creating music together and there have been some amazing moments where everyone is playing in unison and feeling the rhythm.

The Year 8 students have been working hard over the weeks and have learnt a number of rhythmic pieces, many that have rhythms that cross over each other and are played simultaneously.

For a snippet of African rhythms, dancing and a check out this YouTube Video.

Student comments:

I enjoy the African Drumming workshop because….

“…of the rhythm that you feel when you drum, and learning something new!”

- Nicholas F

“…it was different from normal music, although it hurt our hands! It was awesome – please come back!”

- Lachlan S