As children become teens, they crave more challenge, connection, and opportunity to share what they’ve accomplished with an audience. Many young adults audition for and become part of our Teen Performance Program. Teens who are just starting out are welcome in our open marimba, mbira, and drumming classes.
The following are on-going groups for teens. If you are interested in becoming a member of one of them, please send us a message!
2019 Winter/Spring Shumba (Lion) Marimba
Level 3 | Ages 10-14 | Grades 4-8
Wednesday 4:00-5:30 pm | 20-week session Jan 9-May 29 | $600
No classes BVSD Spring Break Mar 25-29, 2019
In our level 3 class, we are working on easily finding the G chord, C chord, and D chord on any marimba, and understanding the F#. Did you know that the F# is the difference between a D major and a D minor chord? We do! We are also learning shangara sticking patterns and learning to play them in sync with group. We are getting better at fluidity on the higher instruments and strength and precision on the lower instruments. We are learning to play the hosho, and trying to move our bodies while we play and step to the beat. We are learning about syncopation, and how to play parts together that have different kinds of syncopation. We are becoming a team, and we are actively trying to play well together by listening to each other. It’s called “groove.” Did you know that? We are also learning how to remember more complex arrangements, and how to make up our own variations in the style with guidance from our teachers. Cool, huh?
2019 Winter Mukanya (Baboon Totem) Marimba
Level 4 | Ages 11-15 | Grades 5-9
Wednesday 4:00-5:45 pm | 20-week session Jan 9-May 29 | $700
No classes BVSD Spring Break Mar 25-29, 2019
In the Mukanya class, we are working on level 4 skills. We are learning about the kushaura/kutsinhira relationship, how to play basic and shangara running lines and fast chords consistently with proper technique, and how to move our hands far apart on the keyboard with ease and confidence. We also are working on playing running lines in groups of triplets while stepping to the beat, understanding and executing more complex interlocking rhythms in both dance songs and mbira-style songs while stepping to the beat, and learning to play hosho and bell patterns while dancing to the beat! In our group we are learning how to play to others consistently in all our parts. We are learning to play the role of “lead” on the soprano and develop parts and variations appropriately for the style. We also are working on looking around the room while we play our parts, and showing each other and our audiences how much we enjoy the marimba! We love marimba!
Takapenga
Ages 13-18 | Grades 8-12
Tuesday 5:30-7:30 pm + Thursday 5:30-7:30 pm
Takapenga (“We are crazy-awesome”) performs Zimbabwean-style marimba around Colorado’s front range using a 7-piece marimba orchestra with hand percussion.
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