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Magnolia Community Drumming Circles (MCDC): Expanding Our Social Circles has brought together Joppa and Edgewood-area residents to make music and to make a difference. The first session’s theme was Ebola-Free Liberia, and in lieu of paying the $10 materials fee per child/adult pair, participants were encouraged to donate medical supplies to be shipped to hospitals in Liberia. Through a partnership with Harford County nonprofit B4 Youth Theatre, Magnolia Middle School has contributed to shipments totaling nearly 2,000 pounds! As faculty, staff, students and families continue to collect items to help fight the spread of Ebola in Liberia and to raise awareness of how each person can help make a difference, Magnolia is preparing to support B4 Youth Theatre’s efforts towards an upcoming shipment of medical supplies later this month.
Featuring stellar performances and instruction by Baltimore’s own Janice the Griot and Master Drummer Asif Majid, the first MCDC session held on November 8 was a huge success – lively and energetic! Just as traditional drumming was used to communicate important ideas and information within a village, the MCDC share the objective of educating and empowering students and our community to make a difference in the world around them. Information on upcoming sessions featuring art and performances by Sankofa, Mark Cottman, and Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda can be found at: www.B4YouthTheatre.org.
MCDC events are sponsored by: B4 Youth Theatre, Inc, Ravens/M&T, Young Artists of Maryland, and the Harford County Cultural Arts Board.
More on Drumming Circles and Upcoming Events:
Drumming Circles Expanding Our Social Circles is an Intergenerational world music experience supporting social causes. All adults must bring a child. All children must bring an adult. $10 per adult/child pair. Bring your own hand drum, or let us know if you need to use one of ours when you register!
Sessions will be held on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Magnolia Middle School during the months of November, January, March, April and May.
January cause: “Magnolia Middle School Black History Month” $10 class fee waived when you bring Black History themed posters or decorations. All proceeds support MMS Black History Month events for all MMS students. Master Drummer: Laurie Meeder. Featured Artist: Sankofa Dance Theatre.
March cause: “Enhancing Literacy and Youth Empowerment through Drama” $10 class fee waived when you bring books of plays by Shakespeare or other notable playwrights, musical instruments or school supplies. All proceeds support B4 Youth Theatre, Inc. 501(c)3 empowering young people to become educated citizens through the arts. Master Drummer: Laurie Meeder. Featured Artist: Mark Cottman.
April cause: “Education in Uganda. Support Watoto!” $10 class fee supports the education programs of Watoto in Uganda. Master Drummer: Asif Majid. Featured Artist: Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda.
May cause: “MMS Music Scholarship for private lessons” $10 class fee supports a private music lesson scholarship fund for MMS students. Master Drummer: Asif Majid. Featured Artist: TBA.
Each Sessions Includes:
- “How To” of Hand Drumming Techniques with Performance Examples – 15 min.
- Hand Drumming Guided Practice and Group Performance – 40 min.
- Social Circles Presentation – Worldwide Causes Worthy of our Attention and Action – 20 min.
- Cultural Performance with Drumming – 25-35 min.
- Refreshments/Meet and Greet – 10-15 min.
