African Music and Movement – Fall 2014

DANC & MUET 3617 and MUET 5617 – M – 6:00-8:20 p.m.MUSA 113

Instructor: Gideon Foli Alorwoyie

Office Hours: M & W – 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Office: MU-113; Phone: (940) 565-4113

Course Description:

A study of selected West-African traditional dance forms and development of skills through studio experience. Traditional dance styles including African and Afro-American dance will be compared and contrasted. Their cultural bases, recreational and social uses, and artistic and educational values will be explored.

Course Objectives:

  1. To introduce the student to varieties of movement from both contemporary and traditional West African dance.
  2. To give the student practical experience in African dance performance in both studio and concert settings.
  3. To acquaint the student with the development and social significance of the dances performed in class.
  4. To develop in the student a mental, emotional, and aesthetic awareness appropriate to African dance performance.

Materials to be Covered:

  1. The class will work on traditional African dances: Atsiagbekor, Gadzo, and Tokoe.
  2. In addition to learning choreographed movements, the student will be required to improvise and to create his or her own dance sequences.

Recommended Reading:

Although no text is required for this course, the student is encouraged to enhance his or her understanding of African aesthetics by reading the following book:

Chernoff, John Miller. African Rhythm and African Sensibility: Aesthetics and Social Action in African Musical Idioms. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1979.

Tentative Course Outline

African Music and Movement – Fall 2014

DANC & MUET 3617 and MUET 5617 – M – 6:00-8:20 p.m., MUSA 113

Instructor: Gideon Foli Alorwoyie

Introduction to African Dance Movements:

  1. Students will participate in three dance ensembles and learn dancing movements and improvisation. Instruction will involve discussion and practicals.
  2. Students will learn individual dances according to scheduled sessions.
  3. There will be some overlapping as additional dance movements are introduced.
  4. Early sessions for each ensemble will involve learning fundamentals of the ensemble’s rhythmic organization.
  5. Students will be quizzed on writing and spelling names of the dances and cultures.

Sessions 1-5: Atsiagbekor

Atsiagbekor dance of the Ewe people of Ghana

Atsiagbekor practicals in Sessions 1-5:

  1. Atsiagbekor music and basic movements introduction
  2. Atsiagbekor basic movements
  3. Atsiagbekor basic movements
  4. Atsiagbekor advanced movements and improvisation
  5. Atsiagbekor advanced movements and improvisation

Sessions 6-10: Gadzo

Gadzo dance of the Ewe people of Ghana

Gadzo practicals in Sessions 6-10:

  1. Gadzo music and basic movements introduction
  2. Gadzo basic movements
  3. Gadzo basic movements
  4. Gadzo advanced movements and improvisation
  5. Gadzo advanced movements and improvisation

Sessions 11-15: Tokoe

Tokoe dance of the Ga-Adangbe people of Ghana

Tokoe practicals in Sessions 11-15:

  1. Tokoe music and basic movements introduction
  2. Tokoe basic movements
  3. Tokoe basic movements
  4. Tokoe advanced movements and improvisation
  5. Tokoe advanced movements and improvisation