photo by Beatriz Mendoza
Music Department Coordinator Steven Biondo and students from his West African Drumming class performed on the Quad Wednesday. This is the sixth semester Biondo has taught the class where students learn by oral instruction on how to play. The West African Drum Ensemble has two performances each semester. The ensemble include both music and non-music majors.
A small crowd of students and faculty gathered in the University of La Verne quad Wednesday and turned their ears to the thick tribal sounds of the University's West African Drum Ensemble.
“These beats are sacred,” ensemble member Nathan Lahr, said explaining the stoic and intense countenances of his fellow drum ensemble members. “If you start dancing around, you might miss the changes.”
Music Department Coordinator Steve Biondo started the drum ensemble in 2001.
In its sixth semester, this class is a way to provide the University with a percussion ensemble and teach students history.
“I wanted to open the program to music majors and non-musicians,” Biondo said.
Half of its members being non-music majors.
Students who join the ensemble can count on experiencing a learning process that is less traditional than Western society processes.
“(Biondo) does his part to teach us in an oral tradition,” Lahr said.
“He'll play a part and we'll try to catch it. I've really appreciated learning that way.”
Oral tradition is important, Biondo said.
“Master drummers have taught the same way for 400 years,” Biondo said.
The fact that the music is not printed in an order of bars and measures frees the musicians to play for as long as they desire.
Biondo said the piece begins when he plays a call to start the rhythm and changes are communicated through signals that he plays on his drum.
“(The ensemble has gone) beyond what I had hoped,” Biondo said.
“When it started, the class was open to 10 people, now it's open to 20. Next semester I might add an advanced level,” he said.
The West African Drum Ensemble’s final performance of the semester will be 8 p.m., Monday in Founders Auditorium.
Tickets are free for students and $5 for general admission.
John Patrick can be reached by e-mail at jpatrick@ulv.edu.