Workshops are delivered at three different levels, for primary schools, secondary schools and colleges/universities. Workshops can also be delivered to suit community centres and community - based projects.
All workshops are designed in consultation with the school or college at which the workshop will take place. Age and number of students, space available and equipment etc. are all taken into account. Workshops can be directed at a group with particular skills (e.g. 2 year degree music students) or encompass a more general approach for year 5 primary school children.
1. CALYPSO IN THE CLASSROOM
A primary school introduction to calypso.
I perform a calypso at the start of the lesson.
l do a short historical introduction and the children are then asked questions about the subject to see what they might already know.
Children explore rhythm through playing percussion instruments.
Singing: they will learn to sing a traditional Caribbean melody, which they then have to perform whilst playing percussion.
Story-telling: I tell a story which requires the performance of the song by the children at several points in the story.
Composition: The children form up in groups and
(a) write a story with a short song included, or
(b) write a short song with at least two verses and a chorus.
Finally, they will perform to their peer group the work they have done.
The learning outcomes are many and will vary according to each situation. However, in general, these are as follows.
1) Pupils use vocabulary, rhyme, metre and scan to write their songs. This integrates literacy and creative skills.
2) They co-operate in the creation of a song. Participants learn to listen and appraise others' contributions and to make democratic decisions.
3) They learn rhythmic and vocal performance skills.
4) Pupils often experience an increase in confidence as a result of producing and presenting their own work to their peers.
