A wide range of unique percussion workshops are available to primary and secondary schools:
All workshops incorporate elements of the primary school curriculum: listening and responding, performing and composing – the three core strands of the NCCA.
In the first two weeks each group will be introduced to the Percussion Instruments, technique and basic music skills such as pulse, tempo, dynamics, timbre and pitch. As the children gain confidence they will be encouraged and helped to make up there own rhythms. Playfully the students learn to listen, respond, co-create and explore the basics of music making (pulse, tempo, dynamics, timbre and pitch). From the very beginning we will work on set Rhythms and arrangements for the performance. It is important to me however to leave enough space for the children to ideally come up with their own rhythms and arrangements which we can develop together.
Week three, four and five we work on the rhythm arrangement. The children will be encouraged to create there own “Break’s” (a call and response which is used in west african and samba style drumming). We put all the learned together to compose a powerful and fun performance.
Week six: rehearsal and Performance
On each of the Days I will demonstrate two new percussion Instruments from around the world. Instruments include: Berinbao (Brazil), Udu (Nigeria), Gong (Indonesia), N’Goni (West Africa). Aim is to Inspire and stimulate an interest in world music, culture and geography.
The 6 week programme incorporates elements of the primary school curriculum: listening and responding, performing and composing – the three core strands of the NCCA.
Highly educational and lots of fun!
This 50 minutes percussion workshop is designed to give all children/students (and teachers) a fun drumming experience and introduce you to an exiting world of rhythm. The rhythms thought are inspired by african and brazilian drumming traditions. Every child will have their own drum. The workshops are tailored to the children's age and abilities.
Younger children explore the basics of music making (pulse, tempo, dynamics, timbre and pitch (high and low), playfully learn to co-create, to listen, to give and take space and build up an understanding of the fundamentals of music.
Older children learn more complex rhythms and rhythm arrangements.
Highly educational – Lots of Fun - All Drums provided!
Using Rhythm in the Classroom
This course is designed to build the repertoire of primary school teachers in teaching music as well as introducing new ideas, methods and skills that can be used to integrate music into literacy (oral language skills, listening and responding, following directions, communication skills, sound identification, develop auditory memory), numeracy (counting, multiplication), PE (coordination, balance, kin-aesthetic activity), social and personal development, icebreakers, transitions, movement breaks, refreshers, etc. Teachers will be introduced to active and fun rhythmical activities such as body percussion, making up rhythms using words, cup rhythms on tables, songs and games which can use in the classrooms.
The courses are designed to make the content easily assessable through hands on activities and practical application of learning.
‘Martin is not only a very accomplished musician, but also has the ability to engage with and inspire in his pupils the joy of music-making. The pupils’ excitement and satisfaction in participating in musical creativity was palpable. The benefits of the drumming workshops went far beyond the music curriculum. It promoted cooperation and collaboration, concentration and listening skills. This was evident from the first workshop. It further enhanced the pupils’ cultural awareness, attuned their fine-motor skills, and developed a sense of rhythm in their speech and movement in every day activities. The children in Scoil Thullacha now have a new appreciation of the Rhythm of Life. Mo cheol thú, a Mháirtín!’ Cáit Ní Néill (Príomhoide)
“Ar fheabhas ar fad! Mar mhúinteoir leanaí óga,bím I gcónaí ag lorg stráiteisí nua,taitneamhach chun scileann bunúsacha foghlama a fhorbairt. Taréis sé mhaidin caite i dteannta Martin agus a dhrumaí níl aon dabht ach gur fhás gach aon duine den ngrúpa i scileanna éisteachta,cumarsáide,sóisialta agus féin-mhuinín,gan brú,gan stró. Beidh drummáil ar mo chlár múinteoireachta as seo amach! ”
“Absolutely amazing! As a junior class teacher who’s always looking for strategies to teach basic learning skills in a fun,inclusive way I can only say that the six mornings spent in the drumming workshops with Martin brought each one of our 18 child group( and their teacher!) to a new level in listening,focus,concentration,non-verbal communication,social confidence and rhythm skills in a thoroughly enjoyable setting.Drumming will be an integral part of my school year from now on!”
“The children and teachers had a wonderful learning experience with Martin, they were actively involved in the workshop and thoroughly enjoyed working with the drums and other percussion instruments.”
"Martin has assisted us with the musical training of the band. Martin is not only an outstanding percussionist, but is also a brilliant teacher. All our members thoroughly enjoy his classes and benefit enormously from his tuition. He is always reliable, dedicated and a pleasure to work with."
Percusion Workshop - Martin Schaerer