SOAS World Music Summer School, London:
Based In London, UK, The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is a college of the University of London and the only Higher Education institution in the UK specialising in the study of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East. SOAS takes pride in offering an exciting summer school of world music.
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Afro-Brazilian Music: Ganza Shakers
This workshop aims to explore the many sides of the Ganza (shaker). A very important instrument in Brazilian music, it is played in different music styles such as Samba, Maracatu and Coco. Students will learn standard playing techniques, develop new ways of creating sounds with shakers as well as working within a percussion ensemble combining singing, dancing and playing. No need to bring an instrument: using recycled material, everybody will make their own Ganza as part of the course. With Adriano Adewale.
Balinese Gamelan Semar Pegulingan
This is a unique opportunity to learn to play this sweet-sounding seven-tone Balinese gamelan based at SOAS. A Balinese gamelan is an elaborate percussion orchestra, comprising bronze gongs and metallophones which play complex interlocking melodic and rhythmic patterns led by a pair of drums. This particular gamelan, a semar pegulingan saih pitu, is unusually beautiful and is the only one of its kind in the UK. Students will be encouraged to play all of the instruments in the ensemble and will learn to play a traditional piece of Balinese music. With Andy Channing.
Bulgarian Singing
Bulgarian singing has a unique style and a vocal technique giving power to the voice and voice to the heart. In this workshop we will plunge into this living tradition by learning songs in two- and three-part harmony and the specific vocal technique used in them. With Dessislava Stefanova (London Bulgarian Choir)
Afrocuban Batá Drumming & Orisha Songs
Batá drumming is considered to be one of the great cultural treasures of the African Diaspora. The cornerstone of Cuban percussive arts, batá drumming is over 500 years old, and was brought to the island by Yoruba bondsmen during the Atlantic Slave trade. The drums accompany songs in praise of the Orisha, the deities and nature spirits of the Afrocuban religion Santeria. This course will cover some of the more popular rhythms and teach a spread of songs for several important Orishas. With Crispin Robinson.
Cuban Music Big Band
Whatever your instrument, here’s a chance to play some classic Cuban styles:Son, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Latin Jazz… The course will look at rhythms, structure & improvisation within those musical forms and lead towards a performance at the end of the course. All levels & instruments welcome.
With Sara McGuinness & Elpidio Caicedo.
Didgeridoo
Thought to be one of the oldest wind instruments known and made from eucalyptus branches naturally hollowed by termites, didgeridoos play an important role in the Australian Aborigine’s rich spiritual culture. As a drone instrument the didgeridoo cannot produce melodies but is capable of an astonishing variety of sounds and percussive rhythms. Suitable for beginners, instruments will be provided. With Jonathan Cope.
Ethiopian Dance
Following all the publicity Ethiopian has had recently, this is your chance to try it yourself: learn the ‘eskista’ dance, as performed by the Amhara and Tigrayan people of the Ethiopian Highlands. The dance involves rapid movement of shoulders, neck and head, and is unlike any other African dance form commonly associated with sub-Saharan Africa. With Zewditu Tadesse.
Gyil Xylophones from Ghana
The xylophone (gyil) in Ghana is played mainly in the Western region of the country, as the principal instrument with a position equivalent to drums in other areas. The course will introduce playing techniques and a repertoire of traditional compositions, as well as provide background knowledge on the instrument and the social context of the music played in a variety of ceremonies such as weddings, funerals and rites of passage. Aaron Bebe Sukura is a master xylophonist and multi-instrumentalist, and an experienced teacher currently teaching at the University of Ghana, Accra.
Kora
The Mandinka kora is a unique instrument with 21 strings. It sounds somewhat like a harp, but its intricate playing style sounds closer to flamenco guitar. Kadialy Kouyate comes from the south of Senegal and belongs to the great line of Kouyate griots. He is a gifted performer but also a highly regarded as a kora teacher, regularly teaching under- & postgraduate courses at SOAS. This is a taster course for beginners. Instruments will be provided.
Korean Samulnori Percussion
Samulnori is the contemporary form of a rural percussion tradition stretching back into antiquity. Today, Samulnori is the most popular style in the Korean traditional music scene, equally at home in the countryside or on urban stages. The rhythms are said to create balance in the cosmos, combining yin and yang. Instruments will be provided. With Jeung-Hyun Choi from Dulsori.
Mbira
Mbira (often called thumb piano) is used in Shona spiritual ceremonies to call upon the spirits, through a repertoire of ancient songs, passed down through generations. In the course we will learn some of these songs, progressing to add vocals & variations. The course is suitable for beginners, but will also offer deeper insights for those with some experience. Original instruments will be available for use or purchase. With Linos Wengara Magaya.
Middle Eastern Music
This course is an introduction to Middle Eastern music, both theory & practice. It will cover historical overview, introduce musical theory and instruments, and have a closer look at the region’s musical culture and traditions. Students will also learn to perform a selection of traditional songs. With Ehsan Emam.
Mongolian Overtone Singing
Khöömii is an amazing style of overtone/harmonic singing where one person sings two or more distinct pitches at the same time. It originates among the nomads of Central Asia, particularly the mountain regions of Mongolia and Tuva. Listen to your own overtones as you discover the unknown depths and heights of your voice through these enchanting sounds. With Michael Ormiston & Candida Valentino.
Mouth Harps
An ancient instrument, the mouth or jaw harp exists in many forms across nearly every continent. Often disregarded as a less ‘serious’ instrument the jaw harp is capable of extreme subtlety and a wide repertoire of sounds and melodies. Open to all levels - all can play! With Jonathan Cope.
Russian Singing
No stranger to social singing at weddings and gatherings, Polina Shepherd grew up in a home where songs were frequently sung at table after eating borsht and drinking homemade wine. Come and share the experience: this day-long course will explore folk, lyric and epic songs, ritual songs for pagan holidays, circle dances, wedding songs, weeping songs - all with attention to history and style. Music lovers of all backgrounds and singing levels are invited, no experience necessary. Teaching by ear.
South Indian Violin & Vocals
This two week intensive course is designed to give experienced violinists & vocalist of any style the opportunity to discover & explore the foundations of South Indian classical music (Carnatic music). The two main musical components of Carnatic music are raga (modal system) and tala (metrical system). The course will introduce concepts, exercises and representative compositions in a variety of forms. With Nandini Muthuswamy.
Ugandan Music
This course will explore the wide range of traditional Ugandan music with the opportunity to try your hand on a variety of instruments. Teaching will focus on the embaire 21-key giant xylophone, and expand to include ensemble playing on the endingidi (tube fiddle), engoma (drums), endongo (thumb piano), and more. With Seby Ntege.
World Music Choir
A taster course for the SOAS World Music Choir. All music sung by the choir is learned by ear and by repetition, all voices are welcome, and no experience is necessary. Most of the pieces are sung in the original languages, a capella and often in three or four part harmony. The repertoire could include pieces in African and East European languages and from the Maori and Sami cultures. Led by choir director Judith Silver.
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