Common Course Outline

Catalog Description

Course Description

The World Drum Ensemble is a percussion ensemble that practices and performs World Beat Music. This is defined as music created in the New World (the Americas) by African slaves who combined African cultural elements (instruments, rhythms, and other musical concepts) with the elements they found in the New World (Harmonies, Melodies and other musical elements). The ensemble presents an opportunity for students to participate in world drumming through the practice and performance of World Beat percussion music from various world cultures.

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

February, 2026

Outline of Major Content Areas

1. Culturally diverse percussion styles explored will include those from:
2. Brazil
3. Caribbean
4. West Africa
5. Instruments played by students in these styles will include those from:
6. Brazil
7. Caribbean
8. West Africa
9. Introduction to cultural significance of music styles
10. History
11. Uses

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

1. Perform basic percussion parts in the culturally diverse styles as presented and practiced in class.
2. Demonstrate basic orchestrations of World Beat Styles as percussion parts are combined through group performance.
3. Demonstrate proper performance technique on the instruments studied in the class.
4. Engage with the cultures of World Beat Music through performing music from those cultures.
5. Describe the cultural significance and uses of the World Beat Music styles.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 6/The Humanities, the Arts, Literature, and Philosophy

The student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities
2. Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
3. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.

Goal 8/Global Perspectives.

The student will be able to:

1. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements, which influence relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious, and linguistic differences
3. Understand the role of a world citizen and the responsibility world citizens share for their common global future.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

• Demonstrated twice weekly individual performance skills.
• Demonstrated twice weekly ensemble performance skills.
• Ensemble participation.
• Performance in public music concerts.
• Percussion Music portfolio repertoire development.

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Global Awareness and Diversity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of and respect for human diversity through their words and actions.

Special Information (if any)

All instruments are provided by the college.