| | African Drumming Program
The African Drumming Outreach Program began in September of 1996 funded through two grants-the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Opportunity Grant and the Oak Park Township Youth Services Grant. The program was designed to offer before and after school classes in African Drumming, specifically for those students who needed extra help in mentoring, attendance, participation, or other social or economic issues they had during the most difficult transition years between elementary and high schools.
The class is offered as an alternative to participation with drugs and other self-destructive behaviors that children of this age are exposed to. Teaching Leadership and Mentoring Skills through experiences with native instruments and learning how and why certain rhythms are used and with which ceremonies these beats and dances are associated with, help students learn of their heritage and how to become leaders.
Drum leaders in West Africa must show a high level of skill development on their djembe and other percussion instruments, be able to keep many different rhythms together with a steady beat, be able to start and stop the ensemble, and be a good communicator. These are some of the skills our students are learning.
In addition to performing at the Brookfield Zoo for the Hemmingway Foundation, the groups have performed for Black History Month and school recitals. Currently, the program is at Brooks and Julian Jr. High Schools in Oak Park and at Emmet School on the Westside of Chicago-a CPS School. The grants have the support of Senators Don Harmon and Representative Deborah Graham who were instrumental in their procurement.
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 © 2009 Steckman Studio of Music | All Rights Reserved | No reproduction without permission
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