instruction

Instruction

The River Rat River Project Steel Drum Band is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a positive musical experience to students and presenting Caribbean musical traditions to audiences throughout Northern New York.

Classes meet weekly in 8-week seasons. Our holiday season runs from early October to early December and our spring season runs between the February and April school breaks. One or two public performances are scheduled near the end of each season for all students. Our summer season typically starts with a “band camp” style rehearsal schedule, with students meeting every day for a week (2 weeks for advanced group).

Typically, students start in our beginner, or exploratory, program.
This program is designed to give students an introductory steel band experience. They take on several roles in the steel band as they learn a traditional calypso tune.

Our developmental program is designed to help students acquire more advanced musical skills and prepare them for membership in the advanced group. At the least, this will be an opportunity to learn three popular steel band tunes that serve as the foundation of our repertoire. A formalized “book” is under development, in order to help us use the steel band as a tool to develop music reading skills that will be very helpful in the advanced group.

Fall/ Holiday Schedule

Tues, Oct 7
5:00 Steel Drum 1
6:30 Steel Drum 2
Wed, Oct 8
5:30 - 6:00 Jumbie Jam
6:30 - 8:00 Adult

And so on...
Tues, Oct 14
Wed, Oct 15
Tues, Oct 21
Wed, Oct 22
Tues, Oct 28
(bicounty rehearsal day - may have to adjust)
Wed, Oct 29
Tues, Nov 4
(Election day - may have to adjust)
Wed, Nov 5
Tues, Nov 11
(Veterans Day - may have to adjust)
Wed, Nov 12
Sunday, Nov 16
Salmon Run Mall 7:30-8:30
all groups
Tues, Nov 18
Wed, Nov 19
Tues, Dec 2
Wed, Dec 3
Saturday, Dec 6
Best Western 11:00a - 1:00p
all groups
Tuesday, Dec. 30 Rehearsal
Steel Drum 1 10:00
Steel Drum 2 12:00
Dec. 31 First Night
Saranac Lake, 8:00p-10:00p

For More information
tammy@rrrp.net
or
315 783 2786

Membership in our advanced group is by invitation, and is based on several factors. We are looking for individuals who will work well with others, who will represent our group in a positive fashion when performing in public, who will take on responsibility and show commitment to the group, and who can demonstrate musical proficiency.

Acceptance of an invitation to join this group is voluntary, and it should be understood that this group maintains a much more active performance schedule than the other groups, especially in the summer.
The advanced group may perform 10-12 times in the holiday season, 4 or 5 times during the spring season, and at approximately 20 parades and community events during the summer.

Membership in our programs is open to any person aged 11 (6th grade) and up. Many of our students are adults, and we do offer adult-specific opportunities, as well as family groups. We are pleased to now be able to offer programs for younger children. Students as young as 6 years old may now participate in our “Jumbie Jam” program, designed specifically for young learners.

If you are interested in sponsoring a clinic by Dan or Tony, or perhaps hosting one of the RRRP workshops, please contact Tammy at tammy@rrrp.net.

We are proud to support these local private music teachers with strong connections to the River Rat Rhythm Project:
Nicole Bartholomew - Drums and Percussion
(315) 771-0074 nicbarthy@gmail.com
Tony Soluri - Guitar and Bass
(315) 489-9644
school-of-tone@twcny.rr.com

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