WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS - FOUNDATION, KEY STAGE 1 AND KEY STAGE 2
Tracey works in collaboration with talented percussionist, Chas Whitaker.
Together they can bring a wealth of knowledge to enhance the national curriculum and learning experience of the Middle East and Middle Eastern Culture in a journey of discussion, dance and percussion bringing alive the topic and firing the imagination. The topic of Egypt is covered in year 4, and at foundation level topics covering awareness of the world community may be covered and our workshops will help bring the culture of the Middle East to life!
Chas has been learning, performing and teaching Arabic percussion for around 15 years. "The term "Arabic" I use in a generic sense to cover a wide area where similar styles, rhythms, technique and drums are found. More specifically North Africa the Middle East, the Arabian Gulf and some Mediterranean countries. The drums I play are Goblet shaped drums i.e. Darabuka and Frame drums i.e. Duff, Riq, Bendir etc. as well as percussion i.e. Finger cymbals and Quarqaba".
Feedback ~
“It linked with our topic work in class ‘All Around the World’ and was a chance for us to explore more creative work, linking dance and drama in with our knowledge and understanding of the world.
The workshops were enjoyable and educational – we learned about some of the traditions in Arabic countries and explored some Arabic music and dance with the practical workshops. It met our objective which was to give the children an opportunity to learn more about different cultures and places in a hands-on and creative way. We loved all of it!, it offered real value for money and we would not hesitate to recommend these workshops to other schools. We will definitely be having you back again”.
Hannah Finch, Woodford Valley C of E Primary School, Salisbury
(For this workshop we taught 4-6 year olds arranged into two groups, one half learned drumming and percussion, the other half about dance celebrations in Egypt and the kind of local dancing done at these celebrations for both women and men and the context of the dances. We then swapped groups. In the second half we brought all of the children together to watch a drum/ dance performance by Chas and Tracey and then they all joined in dancing).
“It linked with our topic work in class ‘All Around the World’ and was a chance for us to explore more creative work, linking dance and drama in with our knowledge and understanding of the world.
The workshops were enjoyable and educational – we learned about some of the traditions in Arabic countries and explored some Arabic music and dance with the practical workshops. It met our objective which was to give the children an opportunity to learn more about different cultures and places in a hands-on and creative way. We loved all of it!, it offered real value for money and we would not hesitate to recommend these workshops to other schools. We will definitely be having you back again”.
Hannah Finch, Woodford Valley C of E Primary School, Salisbury
(For this workshop we taught 4-6 year olds arranged into two groups, one half learned drumming and percussion, the other half about dance celebrations in Egypt and the kind of local dancing done at these celebrations for both women and men and the context of the dances. We then swapped groups. In the second half we brought all of the children together to watch a drum/ dance performance by Chas and Tracey and then they all joined in dancing).
