Drum Sermons: Folktales, Legends, and Myths

from The Far Corners of Africa

by Orisirisi African Folklore

An Educator’s Guide Welcome to the show! Drum Sermons Drum Sermons is a joyous celebration of music that recounts its origin and makes clear how it came to live in our hearts. This informative yet entertaining African adventure is inclusive of stories from the far corners of the African continent, spirited drumming, dance, and song, hand drumming instruction, an introduction to some of Africa’s most popular instruments, and a healthy dose of the obligatory African tradition of audience participation. Ages: suitable for all ages Duration: 50-60 minutes

This program is presented as part of the Artists-in-the-Schools Program, which is funded and jointly sponsored by the Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Arts Council of Hillsborough County.

Before the show OrisirisiAfricanFolklorehasprovideditsuniquebrandoffolklore,forcountlesspeoplefromavastarrayofdemographicsandculturalbackgroundsatprimaryandsecondaryschools,collegesanduniversities,festivals,churches,libraries,museums,conferences,corporateandteacherin‐services,televisionandradioprograms,themeparks,andspecialevents,whileexhibitinganunwaveringcommitmenttotheneedsoftheindividual,thegroup,thecommunity,andsocietyatlarge

Synopsis of the Story / Description of what the audience will see / What to expect.

Note to Teachers: Share this information with your students Drum Sermons is a performance that recreates the African tradition of music making and storytelling that actively engages everyone present in the activity. The storytelling may explain why some things that we experience in our lives are as they are, teach valuable lessons like right from wrong, how to be a true friend etc. They provide a great opportunity to challenge students to be good listeners. The music is primarily inclusive of African drumming, singing, and dance that encourages and includes the entire audience students and teachers alike to join in the celebration. In fact, during the course of Drum Sermons some students and faculty members will join in the merriment by actually playing the drums and other African percussion instruments. Florida Standards that connect to the performance experience.

1) ELD.K12.ELL.LA.2 English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary 2) LAFS.K.RF.2.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken word, syllables, and sounds

3) MU.3.C,1.2 Respond to a musical work in a variety of ways and compare individual interpretation

4) WL.K12.AH.1.4 Demonstrate understanding of the message and purpose of essential authentic sources

5) WL.K12.AH.1.3 Analyze the speaker’s perspective, tone, and style as well as differentiate viewpoints heard in a variety of situations

6) LAFS.3.RL.1.2

Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea

7) Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures

Theater Etiquette

1) TH.1.S.1.1 Exhibit appropriate audience etiquette and response.

2) TH.2.S.1.1

Exhibit the behavior necessary to establish audience etiquette, response, and constructive criticism.

3) TH.3.S.1.1

Demonstrate effective audience etiquette and constructive criticism for a live performance

4) TH.4.S.1.1 Exhibit proper audience etiquette, give constructive criticism, and defend personal response

Information relating to performance genre and content Note to teachers:

Below are links that will give you pre-performance information that will help prepare you to create or us lesson plans that, if used, will enhanced your students Drum Sermons experience.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/tools/culture/get_started.html http://www.childfun.com/themes/world/africa/ http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-African-Drum

After the show

Post- show activities connected to the Florida Standards

Storytelling

Note to teachers: The performance offers an excellent opportunity to reinforce both student written and oral competance and analytical skills, as well. Ask each student to talk about the stories that they Heard, and/or write or share their own folktale, legend, or myth with the class, with the Florida standards below in mind. 1) ELD.K12.ELL.LA.2 English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary 2) LAFS.K.RF.2.2

Demonstrate understanding of spoken word, syllables, and sounds

3) U.3.C,1.2 Respond to a musical work in a variety of ways and compare individual interpretation

4) WL.K12.AH.1.4 Demonstrate understanding of the message and purpose of essential authentic sources

5) WL.K12.AH.1.3 Analyze the speaker’s perspective, tone, and style as well as differentiate viewpoints heard in a variety of situations

6) LAFS.3.RL.1.2

Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea

7) Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures

Orisirisi African Folklore is an awe inspiring African adventure rooted in the history, culture, and traditions of Africa, inclusive of folktales, legends, and myths, spirited drumming, dance and song, children’s games, lectures on special topics, and a healthy dose of the obligatory African tradition of audience participation. The nationally and internationally acclaimed performing arts and educational initiative was founded in 1986 by husband and wife team Don and Tutu Harrell, with the expressed purpose of sharing the beauty and poignancy of African life and culture. Since inception the company has provided its unique brand of folklore, for countless people from a vast array of demographics and cultural specific backgrounds at primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, festivals, churches, libraries, museums, conferences, corporate and teacher in-services, television and radio programs, theme parks, and special events, while exhibiting an unwavering commitment to the needs of the individual, the group, the community, and society at large