Moon & Stars Foundation/Kutandara

Building Community Through Music

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Patreon
  • Telephone
  • Email
Helping heal the world through the joy of music
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
      • Our Board of Directors
      • Our Staff
    • What We Do
    • How We Do It
    • Why We Do It
    • Our Mission & History
    • Our Instruments
    • Our Awards
  • Classes
    • Get Started
    • Ongoing Groups
      • Kids
      • Teens
      • Adults
    • Custom Workshops
    • School Programs
    • Corporate Team Building
    • Visiting Artists – ON HOLD
    • Student Handbook
    • Calendar
  • Concerts
    • Live Online Sessions
    • Schedule
    • Book a Band
    • Kutandara
    • Takapenga
  • Projects
    • Virtual Ensemble Video Projects
    • Music & Culture Tour of Zimbabwe
    • Misa Tariro: Mass of Hope
    • Metamorphosis
    • The Lion Who Sang with the Birds
    • BVSD
    • Marimba Cargo Bike Move
    • Zimfest
  • Music
    • Audio
    • Videos
  • Donate
    • Fall Fundraising Campaign
      • Fall Gala 2020
      • #GivingTuesday
      • Colorado Gives
      • Year-End Giving
    • Spring Fundraising Campaign
      • Dining Out Events
      • Book Fairs
      • Spring Bake Sale
    • Volunteer Your Time
    • Become a Sponsor
    • Apply for a Scholarship
    • Make a Donation
  • Connect
    • Visit Us
    • Send Us A Message
    • Join Our Mailing List
    • Book a Band – ON HOLD
    • Make a Donation
  • COVID Screening
  • Account
  • Shop
  • 0 items
You are here: Home / Current Virtual Ensemble Video Project

Current Virtual Ensemble Video Project

Our current virtual ensemble video project is Shamwari.

Written by Kutandara Artistic Director Randy McIntosh in 1999, Shamwari is the theme song of Kutandara Studios. Meaning “friend, ” “friends,” or “friendship” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe, Shamwari embodies the joy of Zimbabwean marimba music in a way that nearly everyone can participate. Kutandara has for many years pursued a mission of friendship, community, and connection among people, and this is our signature song.

If you’d like to participate in this Virtual Ensemble Video Project, read on!

If you want to play marimba, you’ll first need to choose a part. Use this spreadsheet to select and sign up for a part that will contribute to a balanced ensemble, and then use these videos to learn your part.

If you can’t play marimba but you want to participate, you can:
• learn the Jeruselema Dance Challenge (watch the original or watch this super-clear + easy-to-follow ‘flash mob’), or
• master an ‘At-Home Instrument’ (any household item) in the style of The Tonight Show’s The Roots like this or this or this or this.

If you are playing marimba, you’ll also need to:
• learn the Shamwari Break, and
• learn the Chord Break.

Then, you’ll need to get up to speed on the arrangement of the song, and practice playing it at tempo (118mm).

If you are having trouble getting it up to speed, you can work your way up to the performance tempo by practicing it slowly and smoothly at 104mm and 112mm, and then practicing it faster than it will need to be at 120mm so that 118 mm feels like a breeze!

If you want to double-check your parts and understanding of the arrangement, you can:

  1. subscribe to Kutandara’s Patreon site to use all of our Shamwari teaching videos;
  2. pay for a private lesson at our studio or over Zoom; or
  3. attend a Shamwari workshop (suggested donation $20-$60 each), RSVP required:
    • Saturday, January 16 from 9-11 am MST
    • Sunday, January 17 from 1-3 pm MST

    • Saturday, January 23 from 3-5 pm MST
    • Sunday, January 24 from 5-7 pm MST

You can practice along with any of these guide tracks:
• Full Guide Track (Marimba + Hosho + Click + Snare + Kick)
• Marimba + Hosho + Click Guide Track
• Marimba + Click Guide Track

When you are ready to perform for your video submission, check out these recording instructions. Recording submissions are due by January 31, 2021.

If you need help at any step of the way, please reach out! We want to help you succeed!

Welcome

Daily Schedule

Land Acknowledgment

We at Kutandara acknowledge with respect (as non-Native people) that the land on which we stand, live, learn, teach, and perform is the traditional territory of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary tribal nations that are historically tied to the lands that make up the state of Colorado. We honor Elders past, present, and future, and those who have … Read More

CONTACT US

5401 Western Avenue, Suite B
Boulder, Colorado 80301
(303) 443-2969

info@kutandara.com

Classes

We have something for everyone! We offer on-going marimba, drumming, and mbira classes for kids, teens, and adults, as well as custom one-time music … Read More

Concerts

Live Online SessionsWe can’t gather in large groups right now, so we’ve been thinking about how to keep sharing the music of Zimbabwe with the world. … Read More

Collaborations

We collaborate with individuals, groups, and nonprofit organizations at every opportunity to bring special projects to our community and beyond. Music … Read More

Moon & Stars is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization registered with the State of Colorado, FEIN 82–1129217.

Copyright © 2021 Moon & Stars Foundation. All rights reserved
5401 Western Avenue, Suite B, Boulder, Colorado 80301
(303) 443-2969   info@kutandara.com
About Us   Contact Us   Donate