Workshop Options & Fees
Workshop Details
Facilitators
Booking
Sounds Indian is a fascinating one-hour immersion in the music and culture of India. The workshop begins with a brief introduction to some of the exotic sights and sounds of India through photographs, sound samples and musical extracts, followed by a dynamic demonstration/performance of the two best-known instruments of Indian music – sitar (an ancient many-stringed instrument) and tabla (a two-piece drum).
Sounds Indian is now available on two levels. In level 1 participants learn some of the basic words (Dha, Dhin, Ta, Ka, etc.), rhythms and hand gestures of Indian ‘vocal percussion’ through games and other activities. They also learn Sargam (Indian sol-fah) and use it to learn a simple Indian melody. In level 2 (which requires that participants have taken the first workshop) children further their knowledge of Indian rhythm and vocal percussion and learn about dance and rhythmic improvisation. Both workshops culminate in the performance of a rousing ‘mini-raga’ by both facilitators and participants. In a single day, schools can avail of any combination of level 1 and level 2 workshops.
Teachers, who are asked to participate, will also be provided with suggested follow-up activities for classroom use.
Workshop Options & Fees
4 X 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS ONLY
- Overall length 2 hours
- Participants Maximum 35 per workshop (70 in total)
- Fee €530 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)
- Discounted fee €477 (for schools classed as DEIS by the Department of Education)
- Approx. fee per student (35 per workshop) €3.79 | €3.41 (DEIS schools)
Back to top
Workshop Details
- Day Subject to facilitator availability (please contact us)
- Facilities needed Large classroom or hall, CD player, whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk
Back to top
Facilitators
Dara O’Brien (sitar) studied western music in Newcastle College, Indian classical music in North India and completed an MA in ethnomusicology (with first class honours) at the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick. He specialised in classical sitar and music in education for his MA and was awarded a Higher Education Fieldtrip Grant and later an Arts Council Travel Award to pursue his studies in India. Dara’s extensive experience facilitating workshops for young people includes working with the Backstage Academy of the Performing Arts and in schools and centres throughout the country, as well as directing numerous large ensemble performances. As both composer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, sitar, voice, harmonica, percussion), Dara regularly performs in a variety of contexts. A founder member of the Indian/Arabic/ Irish/jazz fusion band Mandalla, he also plays Indian classical sitar in the traditional duo format and performs classical/jazz/blues solo guitar recitals. As a composer, he has written for a large number of contemporary dance projects and co-founded Shakram Dance and Music Company (fusing Indian and contemporary styles in dance and music).
Originally drummer for the influential Irish rock band Whipping Boy (1989-2006), Colm Hassett (tabla) has studied tabla and classical Indian percussion for over twenty years – in Benares, India, the US and Ireland. He has also performed widely as a drummer with several other bands, including The Onset and The Seagraves, and as a tabla player, both live and recorded, with Indian classical groups. He has explored various teaching techniques for Indian tabla and classical percussion in order to share the instrument with others in Ireland and has collaborated with many musicians working in other musical genres, incorporating traditional and modern rhythms.
Back to top
Booking
Booking of workshops requires a deposit, payable no less than seven days before the scheduled date of the workshop, and a signed workshop contract (outlining our requirements and the workshop format).
Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for an Outreach Booking & Enquiry Form.
Back to top