Coffeyville Community College’s West African Drum and Dance Ensemble has been invited to perform at this year's KMEA Conference in February of 2013 in Wichita.  The Ensemble was selected to perform after Director Jeremy Kirk submitted an audio recording this past April.

“This great opportunity allows CCC students to perform in front of virtually every music educator in Kansas, as well as college students and high school students,” said Jeremy Kirk, Instructor.  “Most performing groups belong to KU or K-State, and it's a great opportunity for our students, college, and community!”

This course is designed to enable the student to gain greater appreciation and understanding of music of Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily West Africa.  Students will prepare and perform traditional West African rhythms and dances. Students will engage in community education through campus performances and various outreach opportunities.  Students in the ensemble perform all authentic, original rhythms and dances from West Africa using West African instruments including Djmebes, Djun Djuns (Dununba, Sangban, Kenkeni), Gankogui Bells, Atoke Bells, Caxixis, and Shakere. The students learn the pieces in an authentic, traditional manner, meaning no western musical notation is involved. The class incorporates traditional syllables to learn rhythms. (i.e. Gun, Dun, Go, Do, Pa, Ta). Each syllable indicates what tone to perform and which hand, right or left, it is performed with.

The West African Drumming class is offered and open to the public for enrollment.  The class will be held on Tuesday nights from 6-7 p.m.