Kids Join Free Caribbean Drumming Workshop at York U

Making a joyful noise at the Caribbean rhythms and chants workshop

By Stephen Weir

Normally, a parent would shudder and put their hands to their ears if they received a request for their youngster to bring a drum or some banging sticks to school. But when Calypsonian Roger Gibbs does the asking, well, that is a different matter altogether.

Roger Gibbs

Earlier this week, Gibbs sent a message to parents inviting kids aged 6 to 13 years old to join a Caribbean Drum Circle next Friday (July 19th) afternoon. The free two-hour session will be held at ISGSA York University’s Keele campus in their East Accolade building (Music Department).

“We have a limited number of steel drums and percussion instruments available,” Roger Gibbs told the Caribbean Camera. “But the kids should bring their own if they have them!” Over the course of two hours, the kids taking part will learn Caribbean drumming and chants, including Temne, Tobago, jig, Kaiso, engine room Calypso, and more.