Percussion Ensemble!

We will meet weekly to play music together using a set of pentatonic xylophones as well as drums and other percussion instruments. Each week will start with warm-up exercises focusing on rhythmic fluency, musicality, and listening. We will improvise and compose music together, over time developing a repertoire of known pieces. We will work with fundamental concepts like dynamics, tempo, timbre, rhythm, articulation, mood, and notation in order to develop music that is expressive, interesting, and fun. We will also study percussion music from around the world in order to ground our own endeavours. Goals include allowing students to see themselves as real musicians whose creativity and ideas are valued, to develop a sense of themselves as individuals functioning within a group, and to use music as a mode of personal expression. All of this would carry over to yield benefits in terms of any other instruments anyone is studying, but the main goal will be to enjoy making music together. No experience necessary.

Who: Ages 8 and up

When: Tuesdays 5-6pm

Cost: sliding scale $5-20 per week, payable monthly

To register, or if you have questions: Email laynegarrett at yahoo.com

Instructor:
Layne Garrett is an improvising musician, instrument builder, educator, and parent based in Takoma DC. He has been building and playing instruments of his own design for over 10 years. He has studied a range of percussive traditions, including Balinese gamelan and West African drumming. He has taught music and instrument building classes, camps, and workshops at Bethesda KID Museum, Rhizome DC, FutureMakers, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, and area schools.