PERNAMBUCAN PERCUSSION

Keen to share the wealth of rich cultures and traditions from the Northeast of Brazil, Holly Prest – director of Manchester’s blistering Maracatu percussion and dance collective, Juba do Leão – has designed a brand new percussion course to give participants a detailed, yet varied, feel for the flavours, rhythms, and sounds of Pernambuco state in Northeastern Brazil.

These workshops features a variety of songs and rhythms never before taught or performed in the Northwest of England. Having spent months studying and gathering material around Brazil over the past 6 years, Holly is delighted to announce this long awaited 8 week course of new songs and rhythms from the traditions of Maracatu, Coco, Caboclinho, Cavalo Marinho, and more.

The course has been designed in a ‘modular’ fashion where there is a slightly different focus to the material each week to facilitate a final performance which does not simply showcase a collection of new music and dance, but takes the audience on a journey of the different styles and feels of the Northeast of Brazil.

Not only will participants learn about the performance elements of these styles, but they will gain greater insight into the background and historical development of their studies.

COURSE CONTENT:

These workshops allow players and singers from entrance level up to advanced musicians the chance to learn both large and small ensemble drumming, breaks, and in some cases new instruments, as well as gain technique feedback and explore solo phrasing and songs.

This course culminates in a superb Global Grooves weekend of Master-classes, workshops and performances at Band on the Wall on 10th-11th December. There will also be opportunities for solo/small group playing and singing within the final performance, though all participants will study most aspects of the course.