Bernard Woma and Saakumu Dance Troupe visiting NYC Feb. 2010

Hello BML students and teachers,

The wonderful master xylophonist Bernard Woma will be returning to New York City this coming February, with his Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana. They will be on tour from February 25-28th. I will be coordinating a BML workshop with him during that time so please check back if you are interested - we will start posting announcements around January.

I highly suggest his school, the Dagara Music Center, in Medie, Ghana; which is having its 10th anniversary this coming May 2010. It is available to students, and according to http://dagaramusic.com/school, the rates (including stay) are $40/day.

Be well-

Brittany A.



Prof. Anku's Time Cycle Theory

Professor Willie Anku is a theorist/ethnomusicologist who focuses on rhythmic theory and travels giving numerous international conferences. This is from his course I took at the University of Ghana-Legon, and here are some examples of notated rhythms he discusses.

A focus of his themes include categorizing rhythms within mathmetical frames and notes how different groups of people, i.e. Yoruba, Bembe, and Ewe, perceive the "1" or "western downbeat". He describes African music theoretically within cyclicality, time and circles. Here is a photo of the time cycle example below...

Here is a link to his full dissertation online.

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