Beginning Marimba
Michael Breez
#6 Sat. 3:30-5:30
Participants will be introduced to the marimba and some beginning Shona musical concepts as passed down by Dumisani Maraire. There will be a brief discussion of the history of marimba in the US, then participants will explore the structure of marimba music through learning a simple teaching piece.
Level: Introductory
Limit: 20
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Introduction to Marimba
Deborah Johnsen
#1 Fri. 10:15-11:15
My goal is to provide a fun, informative, hands-on introduction to marimba in the style of Dumi Maraire. I will start with a brief cultural orientation and a few simple rhythmic exercises, then teach a two-phrase piece called “Question and Answer” (composed by Michael Breez) in the typical Shona form.
Level: Introductory
Limit: 15
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Introductory Marimba for Families
Maggie Donahue
#5 Sat. 1:00-2:30
Students will receive an introduction to marimba using Dumi Maraire’s learning piece Kukaiwa. We will cover marimba key layout, playing technique, structure of pieces arranged in Dumi’s style, as well as a little singing. Note: Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Level: Introductory
Limit: 12.

Introductory Marimba for Kids
Sheasby Matiure
#4 Sat. 9:00-10:00
See Children & Family.

Beginning Marimba: Nyungwe
Deborah Johnsen
#4 Sat. 9:00-10:00
My goal is to provide a fun, informative, hands-on introduction to marimba for people with little or no experience on the instrument. I will start with a brief cultural orientation and a few simple rhythmic exercises, then teach Nyungwe, a composition by Dumi Maraire.
Level: Introductory/Beginning
Limit: 15
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Marimba Music and Song: Manhanga
Linc Mkwananzi
#8 Sun. 12:30-2:00
The goal of this class is to learn to heal one’s self with marimba music and native songs. At the same time, we heal those around us. Manhanga is a traditional Shona song for the beauty of Zimbabweans. I grew up with this music, having grown up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Level: Introductory/Beginning
Limit: 15
Materials: Flat shoes and loose-fitting clothes, preferably with elbow-length sleeves.
Prerequisite: All levels welcome; no experience required

Introductory Marimba: Featherdust
Paul Mataruse
#7 Sun. 9:45-11:15
“Featherdust” is a simple, yet beautiful song that allows students to familiarize themselves with the keyboards.
Level: Introductory/Beginning
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Beginner Marimba
Deborah Johnsen
#8 Sun. 12:30-2:00
We will learn a piece from the teaching repertoire of Dumisani Maraire, to be decided at the beginning of class. The hosho part will also be taught.
Level: Beginning
Limit: 15
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Beginning Minanzi Marimba
Nathan Beck
Learn the basic skills necessary to start playing minanzi-style (mbira-based) marimba. In this workshop we will learn an arrangement of the traditional mbira song Nhimutimu.
Level: Beginning
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Children’s Marimba: Manhanga Kutapira
Sheasby Matiure
#7 Sun. 9:45-11:15
See Children & Family.

Sithi Amen: Marimbas with Singing
Maria Minaar
#5 Sat. 1:00-3:00
Sithi Amen is a well-known Ndebele church song from Zimbabwe. In a two-hour workshop, we will learn both the four-part singing (first half hour) and the marimba parts and then put them together (last half hour). Some knowledge of part-singing is helpful, but the focus will be on marimba playing. If you wish to learn just the singing, register for Sithi Amen: Singing Only (see Singing).
Level: Beginner
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Marimba: Beginning Variations
Michael Breez
#1 Fri. 10:15-11:45
We will explore some beginning variation concepts which students will apply to several different parts on various pieces. We will explore the concept of “basic pattern” and how to be certain this pattern is not inappropriately altered when doing variations. The concept of “interactive playing” will be introduced.
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Limit: 20
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.
Prerequisite: Recommend knowing at least one or two parts to Zomba and Chemwaenyera.

Marimba: Sabhuku
Sheasby Matiure
#9 Sun. 4:30-6:30
This is a song in the Nhemamusasa mode that was arranged for electric guitar by the late Jonah Sithole, who performed for many years with Thomas Mapfumo. Sheasby will teach his own arrangement of Sabhuku for marimba ensemble.
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio taping OK.

Beginning/Intermediate Marimba
Sheasby Matiure
#2 Fri. 1:00-3:00
Sheasby will teach a Zimbabwean tune suitable for beginning and intermediate skill levels on marimba. The song will be announced at the workshop.
Level: Beginning/Intermediate
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio taping OK.

Marimba: Chiro Chacho
MyLinda King
#6 Sat. 3:30-5:30
#8 Sun. 12:30-2:30
Learn a high-spirited Zimbabwean wedding song. The vocals for this song are included in Let Your Voice Be Heard. In 1993 MyLinda King and Pete Swing arranged it for marimbas. A complete arrangement, including lead and vocals, will be taught.
Level: Intermediate
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Intermediate Marimba: Rugare II
Maria Minaar
#6 Sat. 3:30-5:30
This is an exciting arrangement with a 2-against-3 rhythm that you can play and have fun with for hours. (Note: This is NOT the Rugare composed by Dumi that many people in the Northwest know. This one was composed by Kwanongoma students in the 1980s, under Alport Mhlanga.)
Level: Intermediate
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Intermediate Marimba: Leopard Finds a New Home
Michael Breez
#5 Sat. 1:00-3:00
“Leopard Finds a New Home” was composed by the instructor, and is the title cut to Musasa Marimba Ensemble’s first CD. Class participants will learn all basic parts to the piece. If time permits, Michael will teach some interactive variations for all parts.
Level: Intermediate
Limit: 14

Kembendu on Marimba
Nabi Camara & Kite Giedraitis
#8 Sun. 12:30-2:30
See Cross-Cultural Offerings.

La Bamba on Marimba
Kite Giedraitis
#2 Fri. 1:00-3:00
#3 Fri. 3:30-5:30
See Cross-Cultural Offerings.

Marimba Music and Song: Mabadza
Linc Mkwananzi
#5 Sat. 1:00-2:30
The goal of this class is to learn to heal one’s self with marimba music and native songs. At the same time, we heal those around us. Mabadza is a traditional Shona song for the plowing season. I grew up with this music, having grown up in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 15
Materials: Flat shoes and loose-fitting clothes, preferably elbow-length sleeves.

Intermediate/Advanced Marimba: Tanzania
Paul Mataruse
#3 Fri. 3:30-6:30
Come learn Tanzania, a song of celebration. It is one of the first songs I ever learned. The piece has beautiful soprano, tenor, and baritone interactions. Learn to play your right and left hand mallets independently of one another.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.
Prerequisite: Know at least 10 other marimba songs.

Intermediate/Advanced Marimba: Taurai Zvenyu
Paul Mataruse
#5 Sat. 1:00-3:00
Taurai Zvenyu is a popular song by composer Paul Matavire. I have added some additional music to bring out the essence of the song as I heard it in the 1980s.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 15
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Intermediate/Advanced Marimba: Taisireva
Paul Mataruse
#9 Sun. 4:30-6:30
Taisireva is an old favorite among seasoned marimba players. Come learn different lines and bass/baritone styles of playing that shift the focus away from the higher-pitched instruments.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.
Prerequisite: Must know some parts to Taisireva.

Intermediate/Advanced Marimba: Gandanga
Paul Mataruse
#8 Sun. 12:30-2:30
This was a popular war-time song in Zimbabwe. I have based the marimba music on the vocals to provide an electrifying mix which evokes the pungwe/jiti atmosphere of the song’s origin.
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Intermediate/Advanced Marimba: Babamudiki
Paul Mataruse
#2 Fri. 1:00-3:00
Babamudiki is one of Paul’s own compositions. This song tells the story of a young man who is leaving his uncle who had raised him. Although happy to start out on his own, he worries, “Who will take care of you when I’m gone, uncle?”
Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.

Traditional Guinean Balafon Duets
Nabi Camara
(assisted by Kite Giedraitis)
#9 Sun. 4:30-6:00
See Cross-Cultural Offerings.

Advanced Marimba: Bangidza
Nathan Beck
#6 Sat. 3:30-6:00
This workshop will focus on Nathan’s arrangement of the traditional mbira song Bangidza (with singing learned from Musekiwa Chingodza and Jennifer Kyker).
Level: Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio/video taping OK.
Prerequisite: 3-5 years playing marimba and a strong sense of rhythm.

Advanced Marimba
Sheasby Matiure
#3 Fri. 3:30-5:30
Participants, along with Sheasby, will decide which advanced-level songs to explore in this workshop.
Level: Advanced
Limit: 12
Materials: Audio taping OK.