Dancing Drum’s mission is to EDUCATE, ENTERTAIN, and INSPIRE people of all ages through interactive, percussion-based programming and materials. We are a comprehensive resource for schools and other organizations that wish to incorporate drumming into their instructional day.
Since our founding in 2002, we have aimed to set a national standard for innovative, integrated arts education for schools. Dancing Drum’s approach is inclusive, positive, musical, and fun! We offer several program themes for schools including multi-cultural awareness and character education. Our original methods and materials have been developed over 18 years of work in a wide variety of classroom, workshop, and performance settings in schools all across the country.
All of Dancing Drum’s school programs are standards-based and prioritize hands-on opportunities for students to experience the excitement, magic, and creativity of the arts. Drumming is not only about making music, it’s also a medium through which students can work together to build school community, learn to focus in a dynamic environment, and enjoy an energetic and productive outlet for creative self-expression.
info@dancingdrum.com
https://www.dancingdrum.com
33 Coxe Ave. #2262, Asheville, NC
Buncombe
(504) 444-2929
(504) 910-9717
Dancing Drum’s Interactive Performance Assemblies are high-energy programs that engage, entertain and inspire your entire school! From the first moments of a Dancing Drum assembly, students play and sing along with clapping, body percussion and vocal chants. Next, groups of 100 student volunteers come up to play drums and percussion instruments throughout the show. Schools receive two back-to-back assemblies scheduled in the morning or afternoon. Principals and teachers across the country have said this was the best assembly they ever had, so join in the rhythm and bring this uplifting, community-building musical experience to your school!
The Drumming Up World Music assembly program takes students on an interactive musical journey to learn about rhythms and songs from Africa, the Caribbean, South America and the United States! Listen to the sounds of African drums, the steel pan, bells, shakers and blocks as we showcase several musical traditions of the world!
To view a video of the Interactive Performance Assembly program visit: https://dancingdrum.com/pages/interactive-performances
Dancing Drum’s Musical Director and Teaching Artist, Steve Campbell, will lead the Interactive Performance Assembly program.
This 1/2 day program offers 2 back-to-back assemblies scheduled either in the AM (before lunch) or PM (after lunch). Approximately half of the school would attend the first and the other half would attend the second. Each assembly can last 45min-60min with 10min-15min of transition time in between each assembly.
Here is an AM sample schedule for a K-5 school:
Assembly 1: 9:00am-9:50am (Grades K-2)
Assembly 2: 10:00am-10:50am (Grades 3-5)
Audience size per assembly is best at 400 students. With 2 back-to-back assemblies, we can get 800 students through the program. If your school has more than 800 students, you can add additional assemblies for $450 each. Dancing Drum can provide up to 6 assemblies at one school during the school day.
Virtual Online Program Option: Drumming Up World Music can also be offered as a Virtual Performance Assembly program.
See video of our Virtual Performance Assembly here: https://dancingdrum.com/pages/virtual-performance-assembly
Contact us for more details of how to bring this world music program to your school!
Lindsay Rust
504-444-2929
info@dancingdrum.com
Programming is available the entire year. Contact us with dates you’re interested in and we’ll let you know if they are available.
7:30am – 4:00pm
Due to large groups of students coming up to play instruments throughout the assembly, we prefer to be set up on the floor of the gym or multipurpose room. Students will sit on the floor theater style with an aisle in the middle. We will provide our own sound system, wireless microphones for performers, and a microphone for teachers or staff to make announcements. Arrival, load-in and set-up starts 1 hour and 15 minutes before the first assembly. Ex) First Assembly 9:00am – Arrival, load-in and set-up is at 7:45am.
Charlotte Mecklenburg County and surrounding area
$1,275 fee includes 2 back-to-back assemblies either in the AM (before lunch) or PM (after lunch) at one school location. Assemblies can be 45min-60min in length. Additional assemblies, same day, same location, cost $450 each. Dancing Drum can provide up to 6 assemblies at one school during the school day.
AM Sample Schedule for a K-5 School 50 min Assemblies
Assembly 1: 9:00am-9:50am Grades K-2
Assembly 2: 10:00am-10:50am Grades 3-5
PM Sample Schedule for a K-5 School 50 min Assemblies
Assembly 1: 1:00pm-1:50pm Grades K-2
Assembly 2: 2:00pm-2:50pm Grades 3-5
Virtual Performance Assemblies
$350 for one 30 minute assembly
$600 for two 30 minute back-to-back assemblies
SL2: Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. With our Rhythm Phonics method, we use the drum sounds “Boom” to represent the low sound and “Ba” to represent the high sound. We also use words/syllables, number groups and colors to teach rhythm patterns on instruments. These different verbal methods help the students to listen, speak and play the rhythm patterns correctly on their laps, claps, drums and percussion instruments.
SL1: Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. In addition to teaching rhythm patterns for the students to play, we also have a “Jam Time” section of the assembly for student improvisation. Students are asked to create a rhythm pattern on top of a steady pulse. They have to listen to each other’s pattern and make their patterns connect and work together in a community conversation on drums and percussion instruments.
L3: Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. We use drum sounds, words/syllables, numbers and colors to represent rhythm patterns. Students use their knowledge of language to interpret how these verbal phrases translate to music patterns on their bodies, drums and percussion instruments.
3.CR.1: Understand global, interdisciplinary, and 21st century connections with music. Our Interactive Performance Assembly program features African drums, Caribbean steel pans and South American percussion instruments. We discuss the origins of where they came from, how they were invented, their use in society and culture and how they have influenced the modern music we listen to today.
2.ICR.1: Understand healthy and effective interpersonal communication and relationships. Our Interactive Performance Assembly program features rhythms, songs and dances about Fairness, Caring, Responsibility and Respect. We use the power of drumming, singing and movement to reinforce the character lessons through teamwork and a positive community building experience for all students.
3.MR.1: Understand the interacting elements to respond to music and music performances. Through our Call & Response techniques, we create a rhythmic dialogue for students to participate in the musical conversation together.
2ML.1.3: Execute rhythmic patterns using body, instruments, or voice. Our Lap-Clap Body percussion enables all students to join in the rhythm conversation by playing rhythms on their bodies. Our Rhythm Phonics methods enables students to sing the rhythm pattern with the “Boom” (Low) and “Ba” (High) sounds, words/syllables, number groups and colors. Using these kinesthetic and verbal methods as a learning tool, students can play the rhythm pattern on drums and percussion instruments.
If a school has to cancel an ASC contracted program, the cancellation fee paid by the school to Dancing Drum is $250.