Caribbean Steel Drum Workshop Richard Rudolph is a musician and educator whose commitment to making music accessible led him to establish Quest Academy, a Salem music teaching facility serving students of all ages. Mr. Rudolph and his colleagues now lead ten ongoing steel drum ensembles in the Roanoke and New River Valleys, and these groups participate regularly in concerts, festivals, and workshops throughout the state and the nation. The Caribbean Steel Drum Workshop is a full-day in-school workshop for K-12 students. This unique educational experience immerses students in the rich culture of the Caribbean islands through the music of the steel drum. A full orchestra of steel drum instruments is brought to the school and for the day. Students learn about the history of the steel drum band, including the fascinating story of a young boy who invented this amazing sound and how it was later adopted around the world. The core of the workshop, however, is hands-on instruction on steel drums. Students are taught to play the interdependent melodic and harmonic parts, from the deep bass to the sweet lead sound. They learn to work together as an ensemble to create the rich musical texture that defines the Caribbean sound. No musical background is needed, all instruments are provided, and the results are fantastic. Students feel a powerful sense of accomplishment at the end of the day, and educators say this workshop produces one of the most positive and enjoyable learning experiences they have witnessed. In addition to music and culture, the workshop emphasizes persistence, character and the ability of young people to make a difference in the world. Fill your school for a day with the sound of students playing calypso on steel! VIRGINIA SOLS ADDRESSED:
RATES: $600 per residency day Grades: K-5 6-8 9-12 Space and technical requirements: Use of gymnasium or multipurpose room for the day. |
