Paths to the Performing Group
First, in order to be part of the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band, you music be a Medfield resident attending the Medfield Public Schools. Once that requirement is satisfied, a potential member may do one of the following:
1. Take the Marimba Class
2. Audition
The Marimba Class:
Taking the marimba class offered through the Dale Street Intramural Program is one path to becoming a member of the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band. This class runs from October to June and is open to students in grades 4 and 5. Open enrollment beings in September and I can accept up to 12 students in the class.
The class meets, roughly, every other Thursday from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm in the Memorial School music room. Over the course of the year, students learn how to stick properly and how to play various types of rhythms on the beat. They also will experience playing syncopated rhythms against straight rhythms. All the pieces taught are either authentic African songs or songs inspired by authentic African songs. These pieces are also taught and learned by rote in a fashion similar to that used in Zimbabwe and surrounding areas. During the year, I observe all the students. By year end, those students who:
1) are able to quickly learn complicated rhythm patterns by rote (seeing and hearing them)
2) can retain those patterns
3) can consistently and correctly play those patterns against others and
4) are respectful, hardworking, cooperative and work well with others
generally are the students who are asked to be part of the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band. I weigh # 4 much heavier than the other three. If the student has the skills outlined in numbers 1-3, but does not exhibit the qualities in # 4, I will not ask the student to be part of the marimba band. However, I may ask the student in the band if he or she works hard, is close to possessing the skills in numbers 1-3 and exhibits all the qualities in # 4.
If a student is not invited into the marimba band because he or she is lacking in the areas outlined in numbers 1-3, he or she can re-take the marimba class. Sometimes, all that is needed is more exposure to the marimbas and the music.
The class meets, roughly, every other Thursday from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm in the Memorial School music room. Over the course of the year, students learn how to stick properly and how to play various types of rhythms on the beat. They also will experience playing syncopated rhythms against straight rhythms. All the pieces taught are either authentic African songs or songs inspired by authentic African songs. These pieces are also taught and learned by rote in a fashion similar to that used in Zimbabwe and surrounding areas. During the year, I observe all the students. By year end, those students who:
1) are able to quickly learn complicated rhythm patterns by rote (seeing and hearing them)
2) can retain those patterns
3) can consistently and correctly play those patterns against others and
4) are respectful, hardworking, cooperative and work well with others
generally are the students who are asked to be part of the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band. I weigh # 4 much heavier than the other three. If the student has the skills outlined in numbers 1-3, but does not exhibit the qualities in # 4, I will not ask the student to be part of the marimba band. However, I may ask the student in the band if he or she works hard, is close to possessing the skills in numbers 1-3 and exhibits all the qualities in # 4.
If a student is not invited into the marimba band because he or she is lacking in the areas outlined in numbers 1-3, he or she can re-take the marimba class. Sometimes, all that is needed is more exposure to the marimbas and the music.
Audition:
If a student opts not to take the marimba class and still would like to be in the Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Band, he or she must audition. Auditions are by appointment only and can be scheduled at any point during the school year. To audition, a student must be in grade 4 to grade 12. To schedule an audition, email Mr. Ruggiero at [email protected].
During that audition, that student must demonstrate that he or she can:
1) quickly learn complicated rhythm patterns by rote (seeing and hearing them)
2) can retain those patterns
3) can consistently and correctly play those patterns against others.
If the student is successful in demonstrating the abilities outlined above, he or she must have a verbal or written recommendation from a family member who can attest that the student is respectful, hardworking and cooperative and can work well with others.
During that audition, that student must demonstrate that he or she can:
1) quickly learn complicated rhythm patterns by rote (seeing and hearing them)
2) can retain those patterns
3) can consistently and correctly play those patterns against others.
If the student is successful in demonstrating the abilities outlined above, he or she must have a verbal or written recommendation from a family member who can attest that the student is respectful, hardworking and cooperative and can work well with others.
Member Requirements:
Once a student is accepted into the group, he or she must:
1) Pay a fee of $250 per child at the beginning of the year. Checks need to be made out to the Town of
Medfield and given to Mr. Ruggiero as soon as rehearsals begin.
2) Purchase a Performance T-shirt. Mr. Ruggiero will order the shirts and each shirt costs $10. T-shirts
are only ordered at the beginning of the year. If a student enters the group in the middle of the year, a t-shirt will be ordered at the beginning of the following year.
3) Purchase a crazy hat for performances.
4) Read and sign the marimba guidelines linked below. The signed copy must be submitted to Mr.
Ruggiero by the first rehearsal.
5) Come to rehearsals.
1) Pay a fee of $250 per child at the beginning of the year. Checks need to be made out to the Town of
Medfield and given to Mr. Ruggiero as soon as rehearsals begin.
2) Purchase a Performance T-shirt. Mr. Ruggiero will order the shirts and each shirt costs $10. T-shirts
are only ordered at the beginning of the year. If a student enters the group in the middle of the year, a t-shirt will be ordered at the beginning of the following year.
3) Purchase a crazy hat for performances.
4) Read and sign the marimba guidelines linked below. The signed copy must be submitted to Mr.
Ruggiero by the first rehearsal.
5) Come to rehearsals.
