Bucket Drumming Remix
AVAILABLE IN PERSON AND ONLINE
Please contact Ian for pricing and logistics of the online version of this program
Destination: Youth Services
PRESENTER NAME: Ian Dobson
Address: 126 SW 148th St., Ste C100 PMB 456
City/State: Seattle, WA. Zip: 98166-1984
Phone: (home/work) 206-919-2328
E-mail: info@iandobson.com
Best time/manner to contact you: Email any time, phone also good.
Website: www.iandobson.com
Program Description:
This program allows teen participants to explore their interest in musical culture, rhythm, and drumming but also includes some science and technology. It has a general learning objective of exploring drumming and the connections between creativity, resourcefulness, arts, and technology.
In the program, a single performer/teacher, Ian Dobson, shares how people with few resources in various cultures have used their creativity and resourcefulness to build sophisticated musical instruments out of recycled or repurposed materials. The primary example used in the show is the Caribbean instrument called the steel drum. Ian begins the show by performing on the steel drum, getting attendees involved with dancing and rhythmic games, providing a bit of cultural and historical background, and introducing the musical concept of “syncopation” which is so prominent in Caribbean music. He then presents a section on the physics of the steel drum with the cognitive learning objective of students being able to explain a sound wave and how multiple different pitches are achieved on one piece of material. Recycled buckets are then given to the students and they are asked to explore the sounds of the bucket themselves, apply the physics learned from the steel drum to the sounds created by the bucket, and be able to explain the basic physics of how the bucket sounds are made.
Ian then explores syncopation more deeply by teaching students basic bucket drumming with the physical learning objective of students being able to demonstrate syncopation.
To finish up the show Ian introduces digital technology into the mix so that attendees can relate their workshop experience more to the contemporary digital music to which today’s young people listen. Attendees perform acoustic sounds that Ian then captures digitally with the cognitive learning objective of being able to explain what happens to the sound wave when it becomes digitized. Attendees collaborate with Ian to decide which digital processes to apply to these acoustic sounds and a final acoustic/digital performance is created. Ian uses the Ableton Live audio program during the workshop and projects the screen so attendees can observe how he manipulates the software.
This workshop is also available in Spanish or bilingually in Spanish and English.
Program Length: 90 minutes. 60-minute version is available.
Space Preferred: At least a 30’ X 30’ space or similar dimensions is required. More space is better.
Equipment Needed:
A projector and screen with HDMI input is ideal. A large television with an HDMI input will also work. If neither of these are available the program can be done with a whiteboard or without any visual aids. One chair for each participant. Chairs for participants should be arranged in a semi-circle on one side of the room with an 8’X8’ space on the opposite side of the room for Ian’s setup. The performance requires one standard (120v AC 60Hz 20amps) electrical outlet.
Please contact Ian if you are interested in an outdoor performance. Cover (such as pop-up tent) from direct sunlight and protection from rain is required, as is an electrical power drop within 5 feet of the performance space. Image projection to share the remixing process on Ableton may not be possible outdoors.
Can your program be successfully offered outside? No
Can your program be successfully offered in a library without a meeting room? Yes
Set-Up/Take-Down Time: Ian prefers at least 90 minutes of setup and 45 minutes of take-down. A 2-hour setup is ideal.
Anticipated arrival time prior to performance: 2 hours unless the schedule is very tight and/or traffic is very bad and/or the Library can’t accommodate setting up 2 hours in advance.
Audience Age Recommendation: Middle School / High School / Families / All ages
This program can easily be adapted to include elementary age, families, and adults if the turnout of tweens/teens is low. Ian has presented this workshop many times with a large contingent of elementary-age kids. However tweens/teens are the intended target audience.
Preferred audience size? The optimal size is 5 ti 15.
Limits (age or size)? 40 maximum participants.
Program Format: Audience Participation | Lecture/Demonstration | Hand-On Workshop
Location: Under this pricing structure, Ian is able to travel to ANY library within Island, King, Kitsap, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. A different pricing structure may apply outside of these counties.
Availability: Spring | Summer | Fall | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Weekends
For availability for specific requested dates, individual librarians should contact Ian directly to see if the date is available.
Professional References: Please provide the name and contact information of at least two references who may be contacted regarding your work as performer.
Rebecca Ryan. RRyan@piercecountylibrary.org 253-548-3588
Lisa Cipolla. lcipolla@piercecountylibrary.org 253-548-3303
Deborah Schneider (Public Programming Coordinator KCLS). dschneid@kcls.org 425.369.3319
Relevant Performer or Group Biographical Information: Ian has traveled the world performing and learning about the music of various cultures. His first love is drum set and he studied timpani, marimba, vibraphone, piano, and other instruments starting at a young age and eventually earned a Master’s degree in Percussion. He began performing steel drum music in 1995. Ian can be found performing and teaching steel drum on Holland America Line cruise ships in the Caribbean during the winter months, playing abroad in such places as Mexico and Canada; performing at music festivals such as the Ethnic Heritage Festival in Edmonton, Canada; performing in libraries and schools throughout the Northwest, and so much more! He has performed with many musical luminaries, such as Jackson Berkey of Mannheim Steamroller and Lee Oskar of the band War. He currently lives and works most of the year in the Seattle area and part of the year in Guadalajara, MX.
Ian can provide a Press Kit (publicity package). No Videotape of Performance / Hard copy color photo available.
