Saturday, March 3, 2018 3:00 p.m. African Ensemble Avo Randruut, director DePaul 800 West Belden Avenue Chicago
Saturday, March 3, 2018 3:00 p.m. DePaul African Ensemble Avo Randruut, director Program Kuku (Traditional, Malinké) Sorsonet (Traditional, Baga) Balakulandjan (Traditional, Malinké) Soliwulen (Traditional, Malinké) Djolé (Traditional, Temine) Community Drumming Workshop
African Ensemble March 3, 2018 About Tonight s Performance This afternoon the DePaul African Ensemble presents five rhythms from West Africa. Djembe and dundun drums are common to the part of West Africa that includes the nations of Burkina Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. In a traditional setting, drumming is usually experienced as part of a larger social event alongside singing and dancing. You are encouraged to clap, sing along, and dance, too. It is okay to get up and move around the hall. At the end of the performance, the audience is encouraged to stay for a brief drumming workshop for people of all ages. Kuku is a celebratory rhythm played by the Malinké people in Guinea. The ensemble features djembes goblet shaped hand drums and a trio of dunduns. The lead djembe plays a solo rhythm that is accompanied by at least two djembes playing interlocking support rhythms. The trio of dunduns includes the kenkeni (higher-pitched bass drum with bell), sangban (middle range bass drum with bell), and dundunba (low bass drum with bell). Both men and women dance the popular rhythm Sorsonet. Its roots lie in traditional rituals performed for the Sorsonet mask by the Baga people of western Guinea. The masks themselves are often elaborate works of art that are believed to protect the community from evil. This rhythm has a triple feel, and the dunduns play a particularly interesting interlocking part while the djembes keep time. Balakulandjan is a traditional Malinké rhythm that would typically be performed at wedding parties and other festive occasions. Call and response songs are associated with many Malinké rhythms. The lyrics praise children as the best thing there is in the world. Soliwulen also has its roots in Malinké culture, and the title means Red Panther. The rhythm is played for a ritual associated with masking. Traditionally, the village fetish maker dances as the red panther and in this role, he provides warnings and advice to community members. The three dunduns lay down an interlocking rhythm that gives this piece its pounding groove, and this arrangement includes an extended break that highlights the djembes. Djolé is a traditional rhythm from the Temine people of Sierra Leone. Like Sorsonet and Soliwulen, this rhythm was associated with a particular mask. It is traditionally danced at celebratory feasts. The Temine people played the rhythm on a frame drums called the sikko, but in Guinea, Djolé was adapted to djembe and dunduns. Notes by Katherine Brucher
About African Ensemble African Ensemble March 3, 2018 about african ensemble The DePaul University African Ensemble was founded in Fall 2008 to further the understanding of music from Africa and the African diaspora. Avo Randruut directs the ensemble and is assisted by Kate Brucher. Students in the ensemble come from many different programs within the School of Music and the university at large, but they share a common interest in music of African cultures. They learn not only drumming technique and repertory, but also songs and movement as many cultures in West Africa integrate instrumental music, singing, dance, poetry, and theater. Avo Randruut, director is a musician whose work includes percussion, keyboards, voice, composition and studio production. He received his M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Tufts University in Boston. He has studied and performed Ghanaian drum and dance music, West African Malinke Djembe drumming, Yoruban drumming, Jamaican Reggae, New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian songs, Brazilian Samba Batucada, Afro-Cuban drumming, Jazz, and Funk. Avo has performed in various places including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and in Taiwan s Earth Day Festival. He was awarded a fellowship grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in 1996. Avo also performed with Yo Yo Ma s Silk Road Ensemble and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in 2007 at Millennium Park in Chicago. African Ensemble
African Ensemble March 3, 2018 Upcoming Events Saturday, March 3 8:00 p.m. DePaul Wind Ensemble Sunday, March 4 3:00 p.m. DePaul Wind Symphony Sunday, March 4 7:00 p.m. Student Center 2250 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago Jazz Ensembles Monday, March 5 7:00 p.m. The Jazz Workshop 806 South Plymouth Court Chicago Jazz Workshop Tuesday, March 6 7:00 p.m. Cello Studio Recital Wednesday, March 7 7:00 p.m. Recital Hall Jazz Combos III Thursday, March 8 8:00 p.m. Ensemble 20+ Friday, March 9 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11 2:00 p.m. Merle Reskin 60 East Balbo Drive Chicago DePaul Opera Theatre: The Merry Widow Saturday, March 10 8:00 p.m. DePaul Concert Orchestra Sunday, March 11 3:00 p.m. Student Center 2250 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago Jazz Ensembles
African Ensemble March 3, 2018 upcoming events Monday, March 12 7:00 p.m. Recital Hall Jazz Combos IV Monday, March 12 8:00 p.m. Composers Forum Sunday, March 16 11:00 a.m. Masterclass: Boris Slutsky, piano Sunday, March 18 3:00 p.m. DePaul Community Chorus Concert Tuesday, March 27 8:00 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Nicole Cabell & Christopher Magiera Thursday, March 29 8:00 p.m. Brass Ensemble Concert Friday, April 6 8:00 p.m. Ilya Kaler and Friends As a courtesy to those around you, please silence all cell phones and other electronic devices. Flash photography is not permitted. Thank you. Sign up for Music @ DePaul E-Notes! Receive monthly updates in your inbox on performances taking place at the School of Music, as well as special offers and discounts to ticketed events! You can choose to unsubscribe from the list at any time. We have a strict privacy policy and will never sell or trade your email address. You can sign up for E-Notes by visiting music.depaul.edu and clicking on Concerts and Events. DePaul University School of Music 800 West Belden Avenue Chicago Recital Hall 804 West Belden Avenue Chicago music.depaul.edu 773.325.7260