Students learn about African culture
in hands-on way
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
FEELING THE BEAT — Percussionist Michael Wingfield, who specializes in the rhythm and song of the African New World, helps sixth-grader Kathleen Dampf learn a beat on the conga drum during a recent visit to Presque Isle Middle School. Looking on are, from left: sixth-graders Katlyn Boyce and Hailey St. Thomas.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
PRESQUE ISLE — African music and history came alive recently for students at Presque Isle Middle School as Michael Wingfield, a performer and teacher with over 25 years of experience in the rhythm and song of the African New World, led them in hands-on instruction using such instruments as conga drums, shekeres and cowbells.
“The program is called Rhythm and Sound of the African New World,” said Wingfield, “and with the older kids, I stress the cultural context of the music and the material. I begin by explaining that the African New World is a culture that was brought to the Americas — beginning in Colonial times — and ever since that culture has transplanted itself here in the Western Hemisphere it has given shape to music such as the blues, jazz and rock and roll. They begin to learn that a lot of the music they listen to today is based on the African New World music, which I consider to be ‘building blocks’ for other types of music.”
COLBY WHEATON, left, and Austin Moreau, sixth-graders at Presque Isle Middle School, were among the many students who learned about African music and culture recently thanks to a weeklong visit by Portland resident Michael Wingfield. Wingfield brought his “Rhythm and Sound of the African New World” program to SAD 1 March 12-16.
According to music teacher Pat Bragdon, the idea to have Wingfield come to PIMS was the result of another middle school teacher seeing him perform locally last summer.
“Nancy Watson saw him perform at the Music in the Park concert series at Riverside Park, and as they were talking, he said that he did school programs where kids learn about the African culture through playing the drums,” said Bragdon. “She thought it would be a great experience for the kids. In talking with me, I realized that it would be a great opportunity for my eighth-grade classes, as well as the high school drum class. To add to it, we thought it would be nice for the elementary schools to also be exposed to this music, so we applied for — and received — a grant from the Aroostook Partners in the Arts. The PTO and the Music Boosters also contributed to his visit.”
With a car full of 12-15 conga drums, Wingfield, a Portland resident and Massachusetts native, travels throughout the Northeast conducting residencies at schools.
“For me this is as much about culture as it is the music,” he said. “I hope that as a result of these sessions the students develop a curiosity which would lead them to investigate, to ask questions and to think for themselves about culture.
“I hope that the students understand that the African New World is not necessarily one place on the map, but that the culture has spread throughout the Americas in the Western Hemisphere,” said Wingfield. “I love doing this. It’s a win-win in that it’s a kinesthetic experience for kids who need to be active and have an experiential session, and I impart enough facts, culture and history for those who have more of a cognitive need.”
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
SHAKIN’ THE SHEKERES — Michael Wingfield, right, a performer and teacher of the African New World music and culture, explains how to properly use a shekere to Presque Isle Middle School sixth-graders, from left: Gesig Joseph and Adam Paterson. Pictured in the background are Nagoozet Morey, Natalie Bates and Gage Young.
The middle-schoolers enjoyed Wingfield’s presentation.
“I thought it was pretty cool how he teaches African music,” said sixth-grader Emily Wheaton. “I got to play a conga drum and did some dancing with him. I liked the drum better; I’m not really a dancer. It was cool playing the drum, but it hurt my hand a little bit. He taught us an easy beat that his teacher taught him. It was fun.”
“I thought it was really interesting to learn how to play a bell and the drum,” said sixth-grade student Hailey St. Thomas. “The other day we did a session with him in music class and I have to say that the drum was easier because the beat we had was easier to follow. I learned that music is definitely a big part of culture. I’ll remember this for a long time.”
Bragdon said it’s good for the middle school students to learn about cultures in different ways.
“I hope students got some understanding about other cultures and how it is expressed,” he said. “Sometimes we just think that how someone dresses is the only way their culture is expressed. We go to Chinese restaurants, but don’t think of it as getting a ‘taste’ of their culture.”
Wingfield was kept busy during his March 12-16 stay. He performed for all students at Mapleton, Zippel, Pine Street and PIMS. He also worked with all six sixth-grade classes, the Gifted and Talented middle school students, the high school drum class, a few fifth-grade classes, the middle school percussion section and eighth-grade music classes.
Bragdon said he would like to have Wingfield return to SAD 1.
“Every class that worked with him was very attentive and the kids were open to trying what he was teaching,” he said. “They also had fun doing it and they made music. We would like to have him back.”
