|
Summer 2008 Short Term course:
African Drum and Dance Performance Practices. May
26- June 15, 2007; 2-3 credits
Students will study at the Dagara Music
and Arts Center in Medie, Ghana, a suburb of the capital
city, Accra. The program will focus on studies in traditional
drumming, dancing, xylophone music and visual arts. Travel
to other villages for performances and interview will be
an integral part of the program.
Contact Baruch Whitehead at bwhitehead@ithaca.edu
Statement from Professor Baruch
Whitehead
Prof. Baruch Whitehead
is an Associate Professor of Music. He has been taking
Ithaca College students to Ghana to study African Drum
and Dance for the past 2 years.
"My experience in Ghana, West Africa
was absolutely amazing, as an
African-American. From the moment we landed in Accra (Ghana’s
capital
city), I knew without a doubt that this was the homeland
of my
ancestors. I saw the faces of my brothers, sister, aunts,
uncles,
parents and grandparents in the beautiful people of the
Ghana. It is
unfortunate that I didn’t learn much about Africa
in my formal education
but I believe that no one could have prepared me for the
exuberant
feelings of a homecoming that was long overdue. Students
who travel with
me have commented on the people of Ghana and how they made
them feel
welcome and offered their hospitality without exception.
I really
believe that all of us understand on a deeper level what
it means to see
the world from a global perspective. We are all connected
and what
happens in Africa and other parts of the world should concern
us as
well. It truly was an experience of a life time and I hope
that many
more Ithaca College students will take advantage of this
opportunity to
learn drumming and dance and life among the Ghanaian people."
|
