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 Watch the World Drum and Dance Ensemble:
 Gahu, folkloric Ewe dance-drumming








WDDE focuses in 2008-9 on music from the Ewe culture of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.  
The group studies traditional and evolving dance-drumming.

Ewe music is polyrhythmic, featuring an array of drums played with hands and sticks, gourd
rattles, and iron bells building a layered rhythm to which its participants sing and dance.

WDDE rehearses weekly, and performs as ready throughout the semester.  No prior experience
with dance or drumming is necessary, and all participants sing, drum, and dance.

Students should register for MUSIC 3612.  There is no audition for WDDE, and students should
come to the first class session in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes.

The first meeting of the fall semester will be August 28, 2008.

2008-9 concerts:

Sunday, November 23, 2008, 8 p.m.
Barnes Hall
Shared concert with CUPE

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 7 p.m.
"World Music Night"
Ho Plaza/Straight Hall
Sponsored by the WSH Program Board as part of its WSH Coffee House series
Guests include the World Drum and Dance Ensemble

Sunday, May 3, 2009, 6 p.m.
Arts Quad
8th Annual Percussion Gala
Shared with CUPE, World Drum and Dance Ensemble, others TBA

other performances TBA

Course materials, audio files, and other information may be found here.

Members of the ensemble are entitled to use the storage room B13 at Bailey Hall for individual
practice.  Guidelines for the use of Cornell percussion facilities may be found here.