Samba is a unique expression of Brazilian culture which combines rhythm, dance and song for performance in Brazil’s annual carnaval (carnival) parades. In this dynamic one-hour workshop, team-taught by two facilitators, we will explore the magic of the traditional street samba of carnival. We will learn how samba’s Afro-Brazilian rhythms can be exciting or soothing, with sections of different percussion instruments weaving an irresistible tapestry of sound. And we will form our own walking samba batería or percussion band, just like those that take part in the parades. Finally, we will learn about (and learn the basics of playing) some of the main instruments of the batería, including:

• Agogo: A cow-bell sounding instrument with two bells, struck with a drum stick.
• Surdo: With their deep bass sound, surdos are used to mark time and provide a steady beat that acts as a foundation for the accompanying rhythms.
• Repinique: It makes a high, metallic sound and is also used as a calling (lead) and solo instrument in the samba school batería.
• Apito: A three-note whistle.
• Caixa: A snare drum with a head on both sides.
• Tambourim: A tambourine without the jingles, played with a stick.
• Ganza: A long shaker with little shells, beads, or seeds inside. Also known as xique-xique because of the sound it makes.
• Chocalho: A large, powerful shaker made of wood or metal with a number of steel jingles.

Hands-on from start to finish and available on two levels (level 2 requires that participants have taken the first workshop), Sounds Samba is an ideal way to get young people of all abilities into ensemble music making. There are easy rhythms and more challenging rhythms but everyone plays a vital musical role.

Teachers/supervisors, who are asked to participate, will also be provided with suggested follow-up activities for classroom use.

Options

4 X 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS

Overall length 4 ½ hours (with 30-minute break)
Participants Up to 35 per workshop (140 in total)
Fee €650 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)
Discounted fee €585 (for schools classed as DEIS by the Department of Education)

3 X 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS

Overall length 3 ½ hours (with 30-minute break)
Participants Up to 35 per workshop (105 in total)
Fee €540 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)
Discounted fee €486 (for schools classed as DEIS by the Department of Education)

2 X 1-HOUR WORKSHOPS

Overall length 2 hours
Participants Up to 35 per workshop (70 in total)
Fee €380 (additional fees apply to workshops outside the Dublin area)
Discounted fee €342 (for schools classed as DEIS by the Department of Education)

Details

Day Subject to facilitator availability (please contact us)
Facilities needed Large classroom or hall, CD player, whiteboard/markers or blackboard/chalk
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). Please contact us for more information.
Facilitators Eddie McGinn and Ciara Byrne

One of Ireland’s top percussion players and teachers, Eddie McGinn studied percussion at the D.I.T. College of Music, Ballyfermot’s Progressive Traditional Music Course, the Newpark Professional Musician’s Course and at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana, Cuba. Eddie has recorded and toured with such acts as De Jimbe, the Macnas theatre group, Máire Breatnach, Scullion, Sonny Condell, Mike Hanrahan (Stocktons Wing), Pucho & the Latin Soul Brothers, Salsa Brava and the Night in Havana Orchestra, and he has appeared at the Quimper festival (alongside Anuna, Davey Spillane and Begley & Cooney) and at the Percuba festival in Havana. His television appearances include Kenny Live, the Late Late Show, PM Live and Ireland AM. He has also conducted numerous drum and samba workshops and written drum pieces for community arts groups and the D.I.T. percussion ensemble. Eddie teaches Irish and world percussion at the New School.

Ciara Byrne, a highly experienced facilitator, has led Sonna Samba, a 22-piece samba group that has performed nationwide at numerous festivals and other events, for almost ten years. She has conducted samba workshops for the Ronanstown Youth Centre's samba band for the last six years and was responsible for teaching ongoing workshops in Scoil Naoimh Treasa on Donore Avenue and Quarryvale Community Centre. Ciara has organised and run drum workshops, parades and performances at many events, including the Dun Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Dublin City Marathon, Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival, Phoenix Festival in Tullamore, Athy Water Festival and the Civic Theatre in Tallaght.

Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for an Outreach Booking & Enquiry Form.

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