Grand Vision’s Meet the Music education program recently kicked off its Roots of Music Program (RoMP) concert series, marking an exciting start to the school semester. RoMP provides students with a multicultural exploration of ensemble singing and music fundamentals, delving into diverse musical traditions from around the world. Each unit in the program culminates in a field trip concert hosted at the Grand Annex Music Hall.
This first concert field trip treated students to ADAAWE, a dynamic group of women dedicated to the fusion of global soul and African rhythms. Drawing inspiration from West African roots, Gospel harmonies, and American funk, ADAAWE was the perfect band to showcase the concepts students had been learning in their first unit; Steady Beat & Rhythm through West African Drumming and African-American Spirituals.
Meet the Music students join ADAAWE on stage to showcase their knowledge of steady beat by playing the drums.
During the field trip, students had the opportunity to reinforce their understanding of vocabulary and historical concepts learned in the classroom. They actively engaged with the band by learning two songs, “Ee Djale a Da” (West African song, from the Bambara tribe, in praise of the djale, or storyteller) and “Wade in the Water (African American spiritual);” fostering a hands-on connection with the musical experience. Moreover, the students had the chance to interact with ADAAWE members, asking questions that provided valuable insights into the world of professional musicians.
Grand Vision’s Meet the Music program continues to inspire and broaden students’ musical horizons, fostering a love for diverse musical genres and creating memorable educational experiences. As the semester progresses, anticipation builds for the upcoming RoMP concerts, promising more enriching encounters with the world of music. RoMP will culminate with a student recital of international songs, performed for an audience of peers and parents at school. We look forward to that moment when we get to see the students recognize themselves as music makers and performers, smiling with new-found confidence and pride in what they’ve learned!
