Guest Artist Master Class: Alex Smith, percussion
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 - 8:00 pm
Visiting artist Alex Smith will present a gyil master class. Introducing the instrument and his planned presentation, Smith noted, "The gyil, a Ghanaian marimba, is caught at the intersection of sustainability, global markets, and culture. Gyil materials like rosewood are valuable musically and beyond, resulting in their endangerment and over usage by Ghanaian, tourist, and colonial communities. Working with Tijan Dorwana, I investigated Ghanaian rosewood’s conflicting narratives of value, and the role the gyil community might play in conservation efforts. Through depiction of these narratives with film, live gyil performance, and live gyil carving, this clinic/performance encourages a more compassionate and proactive discussion of rosewood sustainability in the percussion community; one that considers the impact of global consumption on indigenous communities and natural habitats in addition to instrument markets, and that organizes our larger percussion community into activism for us all.” This event is free and open to the public.
Location: Jebe Hall, GBPAC
Contact Information
Name: Caroline Francis
Email: caroline.francis@uni.edu
Phone: (319) 273-2028
Link to Event: School of Music Events
