World Music in the Schools Workshop

Gamelan goes to school

On Saturday morning, March 6, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the Center will sponsor a workshop at San Diego State University related to its World Music in the Schools program.  A pilot project for this program is now taking place in three San Diego area schools:  Murdoch Elementary, Paradise Hills Elementary, and Richland Elementary.  If grant monies are forthcoming later in the spring, the program will be extended in scope and a total of nine or ten schools will be included in the first master plan.

Ravana by Katy

The present workshop is primarily intended for representatives of the forty schools which completed interest forms last fall, but an additional limited number of attendees seeking information on the general subject of world music in the schools can be accommodated. Both invitees and guests should RSVP to Dr. Robert E. Brown at the email address below, indicating the number of people who wish to attend and the educational institution(s) with which they are affiliated.

The first part of the workshop will be held in Smith Recital Hall of the SDSU School of Music and Dance, and will include presentations and a chance to ask questions of representatives of the Center, the San Diego County Office of Education, as well as staff and liaisons for the three pilot schools.   Following the informational session, attendees will split up into smaller groups and have an opportunity to try out some of the special hands-on experiences presently available to the children in the areas of Indonesian gamelan music, West African drumming and dance, and the dance and music of India.  Those who wish to do so will be able to meet and talk to the artists and panel members for about half an hour after the formal presentation ends at twelve o'clock.