Music
African Drum For Fun (Tuesday, 1:30-2:30)
Leader: Sue & Ron Smith
Capacity: 20
Location: Masonic Hall
This class will be a mix of beginners and returning drummers who want to try some new songs and rhythms. Learning to play this wonderful instrument is easy and a lot of fun. West African drumming was developed over centuries to celebrate and inspire. We enjoy the rhythms and laugh a lot. When participants were asked for input to this description, they all agreed on “fun loving nature required”. Regular attendance is important in this skill based class. This class will be a pre-requisite for the January semester. Please bring your own djembe drum. You can rent or buy from Long & McQuade, Kingston, borrow from Aaron’s Musical Instrument Lending Library (Stingers bldg) ph: 613-803-8766, https://difafoundation.ca/ or Joe’s Musical Instrument Lending Librarv, Tett Centre, Kingston. You can also try Marketplace, Amazon, second hand stores or pawn shops. Applicants will be chosen who have rated this activity with a high priority.
Drumming – West African Intermediate (Tuesday, 12:00-1:00)
Leader: Heather Lance
Capacity: 25
Location: Masonic Hall
Using the djembe, we will learn different tones this beautiful instrument can produce. There are many rhythms from West Africa that we will learn along with some wonderful rhythmic patterns. These rhythms will be played in unison as well as layering complementary rhythmic patterns to produce an amazing West African song. The rhythms learned will be from countries such as: Guinea, Ghana, Senegal and Nigeria. Participants must have some experience with drumming. I come with 20 years experience with West African drumming and have worked with both adults and teens (grades 7-12 – “big baNG”). I love to drum and hope to share my passion for drumming with you. Drums will not be provided. Please come with a djembe or let me know if you may need to borrow one (I do have a few, but not many). This activity has been set to Priority 4 to accept all applicants with previous drumming experience
Drumming Circle (Monday, 2:45-4:15)
Leader: Fred Bowen/Mary Beckstead
Capacity: 35
Location: SA North
For persons wishing to learn basic djembe drum skills, or expand on existing skills, this drum circle activity is right for you. This drumming class runs like a drum circle with explanation and input from the leader and the participants. Participants are introduced to and learn an eclectic spectrum of drum beats. Participants are encouraged to purchase their own drum but if you are just wishing to explore what drum circle is all about, you may borrow one provided by the instructor(s) until you find your rhythm. This type of activity is suitable to helping individuals who may be experiencing challenges due to a mild stroke or other related illnesses caused by the aging process. Drum circle may be referred to as a type of (Unofficial Drum Therapy). This activity is set to a Priority 4 to accept all applicants.
Guitar – Beginner Plus (Tuesday, 1:00-2:00; 2:30-3:30)
Leader: Paul Bullock
Capacity: 10; 15
Location: WSUC Heritage Hall
This workshop is for those who are already able to play a small number of chords. The objective is to have fun and improve your ability to perform songs. A variety of strumming techniques will also be shown. Each week a new song will be introduced and the previous week’s song will be practiced. The hope is that if one song that is appealing, you will practice it often and the effort will not be a chore. Music stands are available in the room but if you have your own please bring it. A capo and guitar tuner will also be needed. During the semester, if needed, you’ll be shown how to change a set of strings. It is suggested that each guitar has a strap. Applicants will be chosen who have the prerequisite skills and rate this activity with a high priority.
Guitar – Acoustic Intermediate (Wednesday, 1:30-3:30)
Leader: Polly Beach
Capacity: 10
Location: WSUC Heritage Hall
This activity will enable intermediate level guitar players to improve their playing skills. It is based on players sharing their knowledge and skills, to develop and polish songs. With input from your peers, the group aims to include workshop topics such as: intros and outros to songs, tempo and strumming patterns, down strokes and upstrokes, choosing the right key for your voice, finding the start note, chord shapes and chord changing using ‘anchor’ fingers, bass runs, and simple finger picking. Group members are encouraged to present information on music related topics e.g. bar chords, the chromatic scale and transposing. They are also encouraged to bring 1-3 songs they are working on each week. We use a shared Google Drive folder to upload pdfs of our chosen songs for members to follow. We often repeat songs from week to week. Only applicants who can play at an intermediate level will be considered. This activity is ideal for intermediate level guitar players. Rating the activity with a high priority will show your commitment
Harmonica – Advanced Beginners (Wednesday, 9:00-10:30)
Leader: Denis Dorris
Capacity: 20
Location: WSUC Heritage Hall
Learn blues harmonica by playing blues riffs, chord rhythms, songs, basslines, and improvising through call and response. Participants learn to play by listening and singing. Reading music is NOT used. New participants for this session must already be able to play (1) a clear single note on the harmonica and (2) has some experience playing songs on the harmonica. Each member will bring a notebook and their own key of C diatonic harmonica. Members will receive audio clips and class documents as email attachments or as items to download. They will also listen to YouTube videos by using links in emails. A metronome is strongly recommended. Software to slow down music playback is required for learning and practice. Purchasing a key of C diatonic harp which costs between $50 to $90 is required. Less expensive harps will generally have quality issues that affect the response of the reeds. The instructor will provide the required specifications for the harmonica and recommended brands. The instructor will also provide a list of “slow down” applications available for smart phones and laptops/desktops. This activity is set to a Priority 4 to accept all applicants
Harmonica Beginners (Wednesday, 10:45-12:00 (NEW)
Leader: Denis Dorris
Capacity: 20
Location: WSUC Heritage Hall
Learn blues harmonica by playing blues riffs, chord rhythms, songs, basslines, and improvising through call and response. Participants learn to play by listening and singing. Reading music is NOT used. Each member will bring a notebook and their own key of C diatonic harmonica. Members will receive audio clips and class documents as email attachments or as items to download. They will also listen to YouTube videos by using links in emails. A metronome is strongly recommended. Software to slow down music playback is required for learning and practice. Purchasing a key of C diatonic harp which costs between $50 to $90 is required. Less expensive harps will generally have quality issues that affect the response of the reeds. The instructor will provide the required specifications for the harmonica and recommended brands. The instructor will also provide a list of “slow down” applications available for smart phones and laptops/desktops. This activity will be set to a Priority 4 to accept all who apply.
NEW – Local Vocals Singalong (Thursday, 10:30-11:30)
Leader: Mary Campbell
Capacity: 40
Location: SA North
A weekly singalong drop-in group that is led by a talented volunteer band comprised of guitars, ukuleles, keyboard, accordion, and drums. This is an informal group and not a choir per se. There is no need to know how to read music. Participants choose which songs to sing out of an inventory of over 100 songs. Participants enjoy each other’s company, socialize, share stories, and relive memories from their past through song. No singing experience necessary. If you’d like to join the group to enjoy listening to the band and others singing, this is also an option! Registration is necessary to join the group, but it is not mandatory that you participate every week. This activity will be set to Priority 4 to accept all who apply
Music Jam (Wednesday, 1:30-4:00)
Leader: Allan Brown
Capacity: 20
Location: Masonic Hall
This activity is for anyone who enjoys getting together to play and sing for the love of music. Each participant brings whatever instrument they play as well as any music (electronic or paper) they may have. Each member takes their turn choosing a song to play and everyone joins in to create a jam. We also welcome anyone without specific songs but just wanting to play along. All genres of music are welcome. We enjoy the talents of all whether on keyboard, string, percussion or wind instruments or simply your voice. This way everyone gets involved. We always welcome new members and participants that wish to float in and out during our time together to suit their schedule. This activity will be set to a Priority 4 to accept all you apply.
Ukulele Strumalong (Friday, 9:30-11:00) (NEW)
Leader: Peter Meleg, Loretta Corbeil
Capacity: 30
Location: SA South
Ukulele enthusiasts of all levels (from brand newbies to seasoned performers) are warmly welcome to enjoy a fun Friday morning of strumming to a wide variety of music genres. We will play Rock ‘n Roll, Pop, Folk and more. Knowing the C, F and G cord will be handy however not critical. We are all here to learn, improve and have an enjoyable session. You will need a ukulele, a music stand and a three ring binder. We can provide paper copies of the songs for those participants who do not use technology. We look forward to seeing new and returning ukulele players joining us on our musical journey. Applicants who rate this activity with a high priority will be selected first
Ukulele Marmalade (Tuesday, 9:30-11:00)
Leader: Larry Stafford & Richard Dixon
Capacity: 15
Location: WSUC Heritage Hall
This activity is for ukulele players who know how to smoothly change chords and adapt to new rhythms while playing multi chord songs. We encourage singing along while experimenting with new styles of music. Some repetition of songs will be done to improve our skills and reinforce new chords and strumming patterns. Songs will be shared by a Google Drive folder so members can either print off copies or use a tablet or iPad to read music on. The goal is to expand your music experience in a supportive group environment. Selection of participants will be those who meet the prerequisite and by a higher priority level for this activity.
