Drumming Up Learning at STARS

Kingfisher’s 21st Century Community Learning Center (CCLC) STARS program provides before, after and summer programming to students in fourth-eighth grades. Under the guidance of one of the district’s music teachers, Teresa Greco, students have participated in World Music Drumming. Students have learned to echo drum, identify the type of instrument being played and the culture from which the excerpts derive. The goal of implementing world drumming into the afterschool program was to teach students the greater value on the musical cultures of Africa and the Caribbean. Students discussed how traditional drumming may be the same or different from contemporary styles in various cultures and learned to have greater respect for people represented by the traditions studied. Teresa Greco is World Music Drumming Level 1 certified. The certification program was paid for by the Kingfisher Educational Foundation. Greco, seated center, is pictured with students, from left: Clayton Blocker, Anthony Carrillo, Alleigh Kelley, Brailyn Schroeder, Presley Fisher and Korbie Baartman. [Photo provided]