Professor Brown is offering Mus 011: Marimba Music of Zimbabwe as a Winter Study Program course in January, 1998. It promises to be a great course, especially for we three Zambezi band members (Sunshine, Joanne, me) who will be honing our marimba skills through the structured class. The greatest part of it is that master marimbist Alport Mhlanga will be gracing all of us with his presence in January. Alport was here in the spring of '97 and taught Zambezi an incredible amount about music and performance.
Here is the course listing as printed in the Williams College Course Catalog 1997-1998:
MUS 011 Marimba Music of Zimbabwe
This course will introduce students to the marimba music and culture of Zimbabwe. Students will
have readings and discussions concerning Zimbabwean history and culture and will learn to play
the marimba. The course will culminate in a public performance in the last week of winter study.
The course will be taught by Professor Ernest Brown, director of the Zambezi Marimba Band,
who will be assisted by visiting artist-in-residence Alport Mhlanga, a Zimbabwean composer,
teacher and marimba player.
All students must be present for the first class. Students may miss no more than one class and
still receive a passing grade. Additional rehearsals will be required on some weekends or
evenings. Students must practice on their own; this is an intensive workshop.
No prerequisite. Previous musical experience helpful, but not required. Interested students must
submit to Professor Brown a statement containing their name, phone and SU number, explaining
their musical background and reasons for wanting to take the course. An audition may be
required. Enrollment limited to 12.
Meeting time: Students will be divided into two groups according to ability. Beginners will meet
in the morning, while more advanced students will meet in the afternoon.
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Questions or feedback? Email me at 98swl_2@williams.edu.
Created 11.97; sarah leung.