Workshop Details

Waltons New School of Music’s Drumming Around the World workshop combines dynamic live demonstrations with a variety of fun and fascinating activities, offering participants an enjoyable and positive introduction to music and rhythm in a multicultural context, as well as ‘hands-on’ experience with a wide range of percussion instruments. The instruments used and introduced in this workshop can include bodhráns, congas, bongos, djembes, tambourines, cymbals, agogos, cowbells, triangles, woodblocks, claves, shakers and sleighbells.

Come and join us on this multicultural musical adventure, exploring drums, drumming and rhythms from around the world! We’ll make a whistle stop tour of the globe, starting here with Ireland’s very own bodhrán, the heartbeat of Irish traditional music, and will go on to explore rhythms and percussion instruments from such diverse cultures as West Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the USA, Japan and China. So bring your ears, eyes and lots of energy – and we’ll see what fascinating experiences lie ahead!

Teachers, who are asked to participate, will be provided afterwards with suggested follow-up activities for classroom use.

Drumming Around the World is available in both two-facilitator (maximum 35 participants per workshop) and one-facilitator (maximum 20 participants per workshop) versions.

DEIS schools and registered charities receive a 10% discount off the fee for this workshop.

Workshop Details

• Day/Date • By arrangement
• Overall Length
  4 x 60-minute Workshops • 4 ½ hours (with 30-minute break)
  3 x 60-minute Workshops • 3 ½ hours (with 30-minute break)
  2 x 60-minute Workshops • 2 hours
• Number of Participants
  Two-facilitator version • maximum 35 per workshop
  One-facilitator version • maximum 20 per workshop
• Facilities/Equipment Needed • Large classroom or hall, CD player, whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk

Facilitators

Solomon Ijigade

Solomon learned his drumming and singing from relations and family friends when growing up in Nigeria. Since he moved to Ireland in 2000, he has been performing with the award-winning African musical group Adun Oyin. With them he has also given workshops and performances to schools, colleges and community groups around Dublin. In 2003, Solomon played St. Patrick in ‘Mixing It on the Mountain’ – a musical co-produced by Calypso and Tower of Babel – at the Samuel Beckett Centre. He also played a leading role in ‘The Gods Are Not to Blame’, an Arambe/Project co-production at the Project Theatre as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival. Solomon is a soloist with the Gardiner Street Gospel Choir and has performed on RTÉ radio on Rattlebag and Tonight with Vincent Browne as well as on RTÉ Television, on the Late Late Show, Mono and Would You Believe?.

Ian McTigue

A former student of Waltons New School of Music, Ian has worked as a professional musician and teacher, specializing in bodhrán, drum kit and percussion, for over twenty years. Moya Brennan, Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, Don Baker, Robin James Hurt and Jeff Tuttle are just a few of the artists whom he regularly works with. Ian has played drum kit, percussion and bodhrán with Riverdance in the United States, the UK, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Kazakhstan and at the pyramids in Egypt, where Riverdance shared a headline concert with Mariah Carey. At home, Ian took part in the 2006 Ryder Cup opening ceremony at the K Club, performing specially-commissioned pieces by Dónal Lunny while sharing the stage with such renowned musicians as Carlos Núñez, Michael McGoldrick and Liam O’Flynn. Ian is also no stranger to the orchestral pit, having played with Improbable Frequency at the Black Box in Galway, Macbecks in the Cork Opera House and The Women of Ireland in Killarney’s INEC. In 2010 Ian branched into country music, playing drums with Nashville recording artist Jeff Tuttle. He has worked with the New School since 2007.

Reviews • Testimonials

‘Created an interest in percussion and taught a lot to the pupils about percussion and Latin music – thank you very much!’
– L. Bertram, St. Andrew’s NS, Bray, Co. Wicklow

‘A variety of instruments were named, shown and played in an interesting and instructive manner, with humour and enthusiasm, and with full, controlled participation of the pupils.’
– S. Breheny, Bishop Galvin NS, Templeogue, Dublin 6W

‘The students got a lot out of it, and the facilitators did a wonderful job.’
– F. Maxwell, Moyne Community School, Co. Longford

‘Comments from the children afterwards included – Cool! Deadly! Brill!’
– G. Nolan, Kilmacanogue NS, Co. Wicklow

‘Many people with disabilities have a great interest in music – it is a hobby that can be enjoyed despite limited mobility. For some people it was their first time to try a percussion instrument and many found that they had a talent for it. It was great to introduce these instruments and perhaps even sow the seed for a new interest or hobby. The Drum Workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by not only the participants but also by the volunteers and staff members.
The Drum Workshop had different sequences where group work was involved. Building social skills is a key part of the Summer Project programme. The group sequences created the feeling of working together and also made participants aware of the others in the group.
In short, the Drum Workshop fitted in perfectly with the ethos behind the Summer Project. It was a fantastic success, and inspiring for all involved to see the participants take part in it and get so much out of it.’
– S. O’Farrell, Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus

‘Educational, informative and great fun! Held the children’s interest throughout – a huge achievement!!’
– D. O’Reilly, Scoil Thomáis, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Has your school or organisation taken this workshop? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.

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Fees

Two Facilitator Version

One Facilitator Version

*  All fees include the cost of transporting percussion instruments and equipment to/from the workshop venue.

Booking

To book this workshop, please complete our Outreach Booking Form.

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