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Schools

African Rhythms Rock Collins

Spirit Ensemble educates and entertains students and faculty alike

Collins School was pulsating with the rhythms of Africa as the musical group, Spirit Ensemble, recently presented “Roots Of Rhythm” to captivated students.

In introducing the group, Principal John Leister explained, “Here, at Collins School, we get to experience the work of word class musicians courtesy of our PTA.” 

Spirit Ensemble quickly launched into the music that evoked the wonders of Africa after which founding member, Kevin Nathaniel Hylton, explained some of the history of the mbira, a 2,000-year-old instrument which is also called a thumb piano. 

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The students also learned about the bala (a slat xylophone constructed of wood with small gourd resonators), conga drums (which were made by African slaves brought to Cuba from barrels and animal skins), and calabash (made from a non-edible squash). 

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