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Samba Week

Flux Assistant Beckz Smith reports on the Samba Residency Week in June 2008: 
 

For two days in June Isambard School shook with the sound of Samba. 

As part of the Flux project Simon Preston and Sam Tomkins, from one of the largest community Samba bands in the UK, Samba Galez, came in to lead the Samba drumming workshops. 

Claudia Silva and Michael Kitchen, both experienced freelance dance practitioners, also led the students in Samba dance. 

The aim of this residency was to take the first step in creating a youth Samba band in North Swindon and provide the students with a new and exciting experience.

The residency started with an assembly to all of year 7, where Claudia Silva danced to the percussive accompaniment of Simon Preston, Sam Tomkins and the rhythmic clapping of Isambard students and staff. 

Murmur of excitement

There was a murmur of excitement as the children discussed who would get to take part in the activity first.  Air and Earth took part on the first day and Fire and Water on the second.  As there were four artists, there were two groups of drummers and dancers rehearsing separately in each session.

There was a stampede into the music rooms as each person stood by the drum they hoped they would get to play, but first they had to take part in a series of rhythm activities that would indicate to the facilitator who would be best suited to which instrument.  For example the Low Surdos needed to be played by those with a good sense of timing, as they would be effectively holding the whole group together by keeping the beat. 

Students were able to lead elements of the workshop by offering a rhythm to be repeated by the group. This is an example of the call and response method of teaching used that develops the listening skills of the students as well as offering opportunities to work as a collective.  

Each dance instructor taught a different Samba dance, Michael Kitchen’s for example featured Capoeira moves. To help the students learn the routine, they were taught a segment at a time which they repeated to commit it to memory. 

Mr Maycock, Isambard Staff, facilitated one of the dance workshops and commented, “You can see the benefit of the Contact dance modules year 7’s have done, as not many 11 and 12 year old would so freely dance and shake in front of the opposite sex.”

The day ended with a collective performance, where, for the first time the dancers heard the Samba rhythms they would be dancing to.  Staff from across the building could hear the sound of drums and many came to see the event and support the students. 

Fantastic

One such individual was Beth Sturman, Flux Project Assistant, who said, “It was great to see so many students working together to create a fantastic music and dance celebration.”

Before the residency, Isambard School also hosted a Flux Samba Drumming Inset Training day where teachers, Flux staff and interested individuals could learn some basic patterns. Not only was this good fun but it also taught key skills that could be applied to a classroom setting and be used to support the introduction of the North Swindon youth Samba band. 

Great opportunity

This Samba Week was such a great opportunity. I have never tried Samba drumming before and was amazed at how fast we all picked it up!

The Samba drumming and dancing was a hit!

If you took part, leave your comments!

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