|
Aug. 22, 2002--“Ring, ring the banjo” could have been the theme for a combination conversation and concert for approximately 35 teachers, led by acclaimed banjo player Tony Trishka.
Trishka, called “one of the world’s finest banjo players” by The New Yorker, “a banjo virtuoso” by The New York Times and an “urban bluegrass whiz” by Time magazine, was sponsored by the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DIAE), during its summer session for teachers. The summer session, held in Arsht Hall on the Wilmington Campus, can be taken for inservice credit or graduate credit at UD.
An audience of approximately 35 teachers enthusiastically applauded the music, asked questions and interacted with Trishka during the performance.
The banjo follows the social history of the country, according to Trishka, who became a banjo player in his early teens. “I heard music from the Kingston Trio and actually the banjo chose me,” he recalled.
Unlike the guitar, which was developed in Europe, the banjo originated in Africa and was brought to this country by slaves. In 1781, Thomas Jefferson noted, “The instrument proper to them [the slaves] is the Banjar, which they brought hither from Africa.”
The banjo was the instrument of choice for minstrel shows and at the turn of the century was a “parlor” instrument, later coming into its own as a bluegrass and jazz instrument.
Surrounded by new and replicas of old banjos (a drum on a stick he said of one, holding it aloft), Trishka played a range of selections including music based on African origins, a Sousa march, “Turkey in the Straw” and contemporary music.
Modeled on the Lincoln Center Institute, DIAE encourages incorporating the arts in the classroom through its summer session for teachers, according to director Karen Hurley-Heyman. “The arts provide a window of learning and are connected to other areas, such as social studies. Our goal is to show teachers the many options and opportunities they have to implement the arts in the curriculum to enrich the educational experiences of their students.”
Trishka’s appearance was one among many programs for teachers. Others included Navaho blessing stories, Arabic music, a museum visit to see Islamic art, Islamic poetry and modern dance. Teachers also got hands-on experience and help in integrating the arts into their classrooms.
DIAE received a Governor’s Award for the Arts for its 20 years of making “a tremendous contribution to the education of Delaware’s children through its innovative marriage of academia and the arts.”
|
