African Musical Mandalas workshop

The Saronde Centre

Presents

African Musical Mandalas

Through making music together in groups we allow our energy to work with the mandala of wholeness or unity represented by the combined musical efforts of a group. The sounds, rhythms and movements coordinate our energies with ourselves and each other.

This interactive workshop is on African musical forms, techniques, philosophies and instruments.

We will focus on:

1. the composition of a simple rhythm and arranging it for a rhythm ensemble, and

2. The Ugandan Amadinda – Royal Court music from Uganda, a pentatonic multiple player xylophone played with drums, percussion, singers and dancers.

If there is time and interest we can unpack the Mbira dza vadzimu and Kalimba music from Zimbabwe. Sometimes called ‘thumb pianos’, they play mostly triple time music weaving beautiful cyclical musical mandalas with drums, shakers, singing and dancing.

The method of transcribing rhythm with pulse notation will be explained and used in the workshop. Please bring a lined notebook and pen.

This workshop is designed to be informative, interactive, accessible and fun. It will however only dip into the large amount of information available. Classes can be arranged through the year for those who would like to go further.

Participants are welcome to walk on the property’s beautiful nature reserve, go to the waterfall, have a picnic lunch and take their time after the workshop.

CD’s available from the ILAM collection.

The presenter, Geoffrey Tracey, son of Andrew and grandson of Hugh, is the third generation of his family whose work is with African Music and Culture. He has been around music all his life and is an accomplished multi instrumentalist. He has a Bmus from UKZN and has taught African music ensembles and voice production at UKZN and Rhodes for 15 years. He has also taught internationally in the UK, USA and Australia. He is trained and works as a sangoma and manages the Saronde Centre development.

Space is limited, so booking is essential.

When: Sat 18^th January, 10.30am – 1pm.

Where: Saronde, near Krugersdorp.

Cost: R100pp

Contact: Geoffrey Tracey, 082 565 9697, 011 665 4350,gogohugh@gmail.com