Global Music Ensembles

Students have several opportunities to study a wide variety of global musics at the University of Richmond.

MUS 202: Global Rhythms

Hands-on exploration of traditional percussion repertoires from around the world. Students will perform on hand-made instruments from Asia and Africa and join with expert musicians in an end-of-semester concert. Focuses primarily on Indonesian gamelan, West African drumming, and Japanese taiko. No previous musical experience is necessary. Traditions learned aurally/orally; no prior experience with notation is necessary.

General Education Requirement: FSVP


Unit: 1



Additional Information:

Hands-on exploration of traditional percussion repertoires from around the world using hand-made instruments from Asia and Africa. Focuses primarily on Indonesian gamelan, West African drumming, and Japanese taiko.

  • Meeting time : MWF 5:30-6:20 pm.
  • Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary
  • Led by Dr. Andrew McGraw, Associate Professor of Music
  • Register through BannerWeb


MSEN 203 01: African Drumming

Hands-on exploration of West African drumming traditions. Students will perform on hand-made instruments from Africa and join with expert musicians in an end-of-semester concert. No previous musical experience is necessary. Traditions learned aurally/orally; no prior experience with notation is necessary.

General Education Requirement: FSVP—Must complete 1 unit in same ensemble before FSVP credit is awarded.
Unit: .25



  • One rehearsal weekly in Booker 117: meeting time: Wednesday, 5:30-6:45 pm
  • Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary
  • Led by Roderick Davis, Adjunct Instructor
  • Register through BannerWeb


MSEN 203 02 Japanese Taiko Drumming

Students will play taiko (hand-made, traditional Japanese drums), learning the relevant rhythms and movements to traditional and/or modern compositions. They will also join with performers from River City Taiko in an end-of-semester concert. Music notation will be taught verbally; no experience with written notation is necessary, nor is any previous music or dance experience necessary.

General Education Requirement: FSVP—Must complete 1 unit in same ensemble before FSVP credit is awarded.
Unit: .25

  • One rehearsal weekly in Booker 117: meeting time: Monday, 5:30-6:45 pm
  • Open to all students; no previous music or dance experience is necessary
  • Led by Alasdair Denvil, Adjunct Instructor
  • Register through BannerWeb

MSEN 203 03 INDONESIAN GAMELAN

Students will play gamelan (hand-made, traditional Indonesian percussion instruments from Java and Bali), learning the relevant techniques and traditional compositions. They will also join with performers from Gamelan Raga Kusuma in an end-of-semester concert. Music will be taught verbally; no experience with written notation is necessary, nor is any previous music  experience necessary.

General Education Requirement: FSVP—Must complete 1 unit in same ensemble before FSVP credit is awarded. 
Unit: .25

  • One rehearsal weekly in North Court 024: meeting time: TBA
  • Open to all students; no previous music experience is necessary

MSEN 195. Brazilian Music

Hands-on exploration of Brazilian bossa-nova and samba traditions. Students will perform with expert musicians in an end-of-semester concert. No previous musical experience is necessary. Traditions learned aurally/orally; no prior experience with notation is necessary.

General Education Requirement: FSVP — Must complete 1 unit in same ensemble before FSVP credit is awarded.
Unit: .25

  • See class schedule for meeting times and locations.
  • Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary
  • Led by Kevin Harding, Adjunct Instructor
  • Register through BannerWeb