Students demonstrate African rhythm, chant, movements, and dance
Submitted by Lori Parsons
Pleasant Hill Elementary's journey to Africa began with the Heads up program buying professional grade African drums for an after school class taught by Mr. Bugby, the music teacher.
Mr. Golinsky, the physical education teacher and Mr. Bugby decided to team up and try an African drumming and dance unit. They had a huge obstacle to overcome; they had no idea how to begin. In order to find information they began an e-mail campaign. They e-mailed the major universities, museums, government departments, and every African embassy that had an e-mail address. They received a lot of useful information and made some fantastic contacts. One of their contacts was a very special lady named Joanna Toure from Senegal.
Mrs. Toure is married to a professional drummer Aziz Toure from Africa. Mr. Bugby and Mr. Golinsky began corresponding with her and soon became friends. She sent many things that they have used to help our students further their knowledge. She has sent information on the African culture, pictures, videos of Aziz's African ballet and many useful ideas. She and Aziz even made a personal instructional video on the basics of African drumming and taught them a true African rhythm called Yankidi.
On March 21 students had a live video conference with Aziz and Joanna Toure. Aziz preformed for students and students performed the Yankidi and showed what they had learned. The students asked questions about drumming and Africa, it was a very exciting experience to talk live to someone in Africa.
Students have made other friends in Zimbabwe and Zambia. In Zambia they are in the stages of setting up a sister school. They have made contact and are working on the agreement. They have already sent them a packet on our state and county. They have no computers and the mail is very slow, but we think this can be very enriching for our students.
Saturday Fun Day, A Heads Up program, invited Steve Hall a professor of world music at Marshall University to provide a clinic on African drumming. He showed students many African instruments, rhythms, and true African movements. It proved to be a very rewarding experience.
The 4th grade ended their African journey with an exhibition for the 3rd grade and preschool on all they had discovered. They preformed the Yankadi rhythm, an African chant, rhythmic movements, and ended with a true African dance. Their performance was outstanding. Mr. Golinsky and Mr. Bugby are very proud of the success they demonstrated.
In the future Mr. Golinsky and Mr. Bugby would like to expand this program by providing a drum for each student in a class and further our ties with Aziz and Joanna Toure. Mr. Golinsky and Mr. Bugby would also like to expand their knowledge through training and clinics. They are trying to find the resources available to make this journey more special than it already is for students at Pleasant Hill Elementary.
Students and Staff would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Bugby and Mr. Golinsky for all of their hard work in making this multi-cultural experience for our students so educational and rewarding.
| 
