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Incredible sights and sounds characterize the presentations of Dennis Waring. From the Aztecs to the Africans, from the ancient to avant-garde, Waring uniquely combines music, art, history, geography, and social studies into an insightful programs of global awareness. As ethnomusicologist, music consultant, educator, performer, and instrument maker, he has developed and invigorated arts and humanities programs in hundreds of educational institutions throughout North America. A multi-instrumentalist and author of the books, Great Folk Instruments To Make and Play, Cool Cardboard Instruments To Make and Play, Make Your Own Electric Guitar and Bass, and Making Drums. Waring is at home with all musical styles-folk to fusion-and regularly performs using his own hand-crafted instruments. His visionary programs are based on thirty years of experience working with people of all ages in both academic and recreational situations. Waring Music offers three main assembly programs for schools: "From Trash to Tunes", "American Folk Music" and "The World Troubadour Show." Though designed principally for the middle grades, special programs for very young children or for high school age students are also available. Planning is done on a school by school basis with an effort to accommodate each school's special needs. Multi-day residencies are custom designed with teachers and school administrators.
From Trash to Tunes Using a wide array of instruments, indigenous and homemade, Waring weaves fun fascinating tales of the origin of music and how all cultures through time utilized their natural environments for making fantastic sound-making devices. Evocative instruments like the bull roarer, mouth bow, animal horn, sea shell trumpet, and bamboo flute, for instance, are universal in range. The most distinctive characteristic of Waring's show is that he makes most all the instruments he demonstrates. Each instrument, either because of its particular sound, design idea, or special symbolic dimension, has its own special story. This assembly program is a demonstration/performance of almost fifty handmade/ homemade musical instruments based on ideas and inspirations from around the world. Interesting sights, sounds and stories provide audiences with new awareness into folklore, music, craft, science, and world view. Follow-up instrument building workshops and extended residencies are available for all age groups. See "Instrument Workshops" page at this web site for more information. Folk Music of the Americas American Folk Music demonstrates how various cultures combined to create musics that are unique to the Americas. Old Time String Bands: Featuring songs and stories accompanied by the dulcimer, fiddle and banjo teaches about the heritage that comes from the British Isles. Penny whistles, rhythm bones, and Irish drums make for a toe-tapping experience. Dance to the music of the Appalachian Jug Band with instruments like the rub board, washtub bass, kazoo, spoons, and other home-spun instruments. African American Music: Music from the African wellspring developed in the United States into field hollers, spirituals, the blues, and eventually various forms of jazz and rap. Audiences participate with call and response songs, by clapping polyrhythms, and learn how to play the blues. Latin American Music: In Caribbean and Latin cultures, the musics of Europe and Africa combines to make some of the hottest, most danceable music found on the earth. From Cuba to Columbia, Barbados to Brazil, Puerto Rico to Peru, each country has its signature music and instruments. Rhythm and melody abound! Music Around The World The Music Around the World Show is a one hour tour through the music of six different world cultures. Dr. Waring traveled around the world during the spring of 1999 as shipboard ethnomusicologist with the University of Pittsburgh's Semester At Sea program. He brought back many fascinating musical instruments and stories. This presentation is a result of his experiences and adventures in several of the countries he visited. Designed for small audiences (100 people maximum), the program emphasizes group interaction and participation. Musical instruments, each unique to the culture represented, are demonstrated and discussed in regard to points of history, social studies, science and art. Participants will engage in song and instrument play representative of each of culture area listed below. Native Peoples: How did music begin? Instruments like the musical bow, bullroarer and conch shell trumpet have been used by tribal cultures since the beginning of time. Communicating with the spirit world through music is a universal trait among early societies. Latin America: Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean embody a massive amount of music with strong African and European influences. By playing the Brazilian samba, Cuban mambo, and Trinidadian calypso, participants learn about the rhythms and social milieu of these countries. Africa: Drumming, singing and dancing go hand in hand throughout Africa. Playing drums together is a powerful and unique form of group interaction. The intoxicating rhythms of this wonderful culture have influenced music around the world. India: The ancient music of India has a timeless quality. Many unusual sounds and instruments reveal a culture very different than American culture. From the sacred music of the singing bowl to the strident melody of the snake charmer, India holds a host of surprises. China: A beautiful pictorial scene or sentiment expressed through sound is the greatest lure of Chinese music. With its lovely melodies and accessible musical scales, this music is one everybody can enjoy. Flutes, gongs, cymbals, and drums fill out this ensemble. Folk Music of the USA: The folk music of the United States is historically revealing and fun to play. The Appalachian Mountain jug band is a classic of American music ensembles. Dulcimers, jew's harps, washboard, spoons, kazoos and a washtub bass make up this join-in activity. (Click here for) FOR INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS, PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS go to the "Links" page Website created by Susan Rosano
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