McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Local News

May 15, 2008

African drum class set for July at Eufaula library

From submitted reports

West African drummer and international teaching artist Zinse Agginie will be in Eufaula June 23-24 at Eufaula Memorial Library. Djembi drumming classes will be from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The costs to attend all four sessions is $20. Scholarships are also available to attend the drumming classes.

Agginie has said his lessons, “teach discipline, coordination, concentration and math. Students learn to lead, improvise and imitate music.

“This is not a typical drum lesson. I use djembe drums and sit the students in a circle. The djembe is the most commonly seen African drum in the United States and Europe, but is actually used in only a small area of Africa.”

Agginie makes yearly trips to his home in Africa where he adds to his drum collection.

He purchases intricately carved wooden bases with drum heads made of goat skin, held tight by strings. Agginie mentioned he is working on an invitational “Drum Ballet Extravaganza” where 100 student drummers from all over the United States will come together and perform in Little Rock, Ark.

He said “drumming teaches people to work together.”

Agginie will also be back July 1–2 at Eufaula Memorial Library to continue his work with the Eufaula drum troupe. This event is sponsored by Eufaula Area Arts Council, Inc. and the City of Eufaula with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. For other Eufaula Arts activities go to www.eufaulaareaarts.org

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