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.

Meeting: MWF, 5:30 - 6:20 p.m.

Director: Dr. Andrew McGraw, Associate Professor of Music

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. Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary.

 

MSEN 203 - 01 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.

Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Booker BB-002

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

Unit: 0.5

Director: Alasdair Denvil, Adjunct Instructor

Additional Information: Open to all students; no previous music or dance experience is necessary

 

MSEN 203 - 02: 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.

Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Booker BB-002

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

Unit: 0.5



Director: Roderick Davis, Adjunct Instructor

Additional Information: Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary

 

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.

Rehearsals: Thursdays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. in North Court 024

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

Unit: 0.5

Director: Dr. Andrew McGraw, Associate Professor of Music

Additional Information: 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.

Rehearsals: Meeting time is arranged at the beginning of each semester

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

Unit: 0.5

Director: Kevin Harding, Adjunct Instructor

Additional Information: Open to all students; no previous musical experience is necessary