Ngoma Expressions offers African Dance Classes by Titianna Ammons every Sunday from 5-6:30 pm at Channing Murray Foundation in Urbana. Two or more rhythms from the western region of Africa are introduced by Titianna, who also offers songs and history of the dances. Classes include live accompaniment by local drummers.
As part of the center’s programming, the Robert E. Brown Center for World Music offers community members the opportunity to learn and play traditional Balinese Gamelan music under the direction of I Ketut Gede Asnawa, a master gamelan musician and composer at the University of Illinois. A gamelan is an orchestra consisting mainly of keyed metallophones, gongs, and drums, often functioning as accompaniment to dance, dramas, and other Balinese performance arts.
Our Monday evening classes run from 6pm to 8pm in Room 0300 at the School of Music, 1114 W. Nevada Street. Community gamelan is open to all, free of charge, with no prior experience required. No credit is offered. There is no need for registration, but participants who join the ensemble should understand that regular attendance is expected in order to enjoy making music in an orchestra dependent upon the contribution of every player. Community Gamelan members will be asked to perform at our end of semester concert on Saturday, December 8, 2pm.
Afro-Brazilian Percussion Workshops with Bloco Gavião
The Robert E. Brown Center for World Music is pleased to offer Spring 2022 dates for our community samba group - Bloco Gavião -
The Robert E. Brown Center for World Music has launched a new YouTube channel!
Our first four educational videos on the channel are from the Introducing Instruments series, featuring Global
Programs of the Robert E. Brown Center for World Music are dependent upon grants, gifts, and funds raised through concerts, performances and services. The Center was established at the University