Saucon Valley Drum Circle Takes the Stage

If you hear a beat coming from Saucon Valley Elementary School, don't be surprised if it sounds like it's something "out of Africa." That's because there is now an oppportunity for students in the school district to learn and participate in African drumming, thanks to the generosity of a local educational foundation.

Students who are already members of Amani Djembe, which is what the new drumming group is called, showcased their talent by performing suya and rhumba on the Lakeside Stage at Allentown's Mayfair May 28.

Amani Djembe had its start with the help of advisor , and teacher Moe Jerant. After researching and delivering a nine page presentation on the positive effects of drumming to the nonprofit , the startup group received a grant and has been busy teaching kids the basics of African drumming rhythms and performance ever since.

Their main drumming sounds come from the djembe, an African goblet drum from West Africa. The cajon, a box drum, was also recently incorporated into their repertoire, and both were used in the performance at Mayfair. Carawan explained that both percussion instruments are the group's choices for now, but said they intend to experiment with a variety of other instruments and sounds as they continue to grow.

Carawan described his students as self-motivated performers. None of the students involved had ever even seen a djembe before this year, and they have devoted a great deal of time to studying the art of African drumming.

Amani Djembe includes performers from the elementary, middle and high schools, and its members range in age from fourth to 11th grade.

Ally, an 11th-grader, is the group's leader and is described as ‘a monster on the djembe.’

At practice she spent more of her time helping other members perfect their sounds than on her own practicing, and the group's performance at Mayfair featured a short solo highlighting her capabilities.

Amani Djembe’s performance at Mayfair was their first at a public venue. At practice the prior week, students explained that they were excited to finally get to perform and said they were not at all nervous. Carawan, however, jokingly commented that his anxiety began to set in the week beforehand, but only because he did not want to let his students down.

When it was showtime, however, their rhythms were beaten clearly and successfully. Amani Djembe's Mayfair performance showcased not only the skills students have acquired, but also the fun that members of the group are having.

With their inaugural performance now out of the way, the group is scheduled to perform at a number of upcoming local events.

Their next performance will be June 9 at Symphony Hall in Allentown, with Youth Education in the Arts.

Among their other scheduled summer performances is one planned for Musikfest on Aug. 11.

“When we perform, we (do) it big!” Carawan said.