Music Education Initiatives
Music Workshop
In 2014, the Gabriel Music Society facilitated a free music workshop at Cass Technical High School hosted by the world renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Marcus Belgrave. Other schools that were present were Davis Aerospace and Denby High School. (Note* At the time of workshop the programs was under the name Gabriel Hall due to our nonprofit status being processed)
Read the Metro Times article below about the workshop.
“Preservation Hall and Gabriel Hall present free workshop today at Cass Tech”
Posted By Johnny Drop on Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Preservation Hall is an institution of New Orleans Jazz. As a touring band, a brick and mortar venue, and a non-profit arts and education organization, the group celebrates not only the music, but the culture of New Orleans Jazz. Their mission is, “to protect, preserve, and perpetuate Traditional Jazz, strengthening the sense of community, music, family and culture that are an inseparable part of New Orleans and Preservation Hall.”
Today, Preservation Hall and Gabriel Hall are teaming up for a special student workshop at Cass Technical High School from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Community Education Workshop: Music Heritage will include the participation of Detroit trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, along with Djallo Djakate and Marion Hayden. These workshops usually last about an hour and a half, with discussions about technique and sound as well as continuing traditions.
With this free workshop, the group aims to link the connections between Detroit and New Orleans’ jazz traditions, with roots in the Caribbean. Cultural aspects will also be discussed, such as the significance of marching bands, second line parades and jazz funerals. With stories and musical demonstrations, this workshop will be more than just a history lesson.
Cass Tech High School is located at 2501 Second Avenue in Detroit.
African Drum Workshop
Beginning in 2016, we partnered with Master Drummer, Chinelo Amen-Ra, to provide a series of African Drum Workshops at Marcus Garvey Academy in Detroit. The students of Garvey Academy participate in a weekly Harambee (coming together or gathering of the school community) as well as celebrations and events that would be enhanced with ceremonial drumming. Unfortunately, the school lacked both a sufficient number of drums and an instructor. Brother Amen-Ra has led two sessions of workshops to date. We are currently working toward providing the students with enough Djembe and Dunun drums so that all those participating in the workshops can play their own drum without taking turns or relying on outside sources for instruments.
Click the link below to see a clip from one of the 2016-2017 school year workshops!
Gabriel Music Society Instagram page
