Marimba Yajalón In-School Programs

2003-2004 Marks a New Season for Marimba Yajalón In-School Programs

Any schools within the Kansas City metropolitan area interested in booking Kids' Koncert presentations FOR THE FALL of 2003 or THEREAFTER should contact Kansas City Young Audiences, 4601 Madison Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, 64112, (816) 531-4022, www.kcya.org.

The Musics of Mexico This has been Marimba Yajalón's most popular program for almost eight years. Students are taken on a musical tour of four of Mexico's best-known regional musical styles. Through a large laminated map, slide show, and live-performance Mexican music and geography come alive. This program has been revamped and enhanced for the 1999-2000 season.

For all other inquiries and bookings, please contact John Currey, Music Director, Marimba Yajalón, P. O. Box 22536 Kansas City, Missouri 64113-0536 816-333-6874 curreyj@umkc.edu

The Wood That Sings: The Marimba in Chiapas, Mexico Las maderas que cantan (the wood that sings) is a poetic phrase that is often heard in Chiapas-Mexico's southernmost state and home to the marimba tradition. Through live performance, students see and hear vivid examples of sonorous melodies--while receiving the implicit message of what wonderful things can be accomplished through cooperation and group interaction. Marimba construction and the science of sound are covered in this presentation.

The Marimba of Two Worlds: Mexico and Ecuador The Afro-Ecuadorians who inhabit the steamy northwest coast carry on a wonderful tradition of music and dance inspired by the marimba. This rough-hewn instrument is constructed from palm and banana woods, in stark contrast to the artfully crafted Mexican instruments. Vivid sounds and images are displayed with sophisticated technology, along with a stunning live performance that the students will never forget.

The founder and musical director of Marimba Yajalón is Dr. Laurence Kaptain, a former Fulbright Scholar to Mexico who has more than 25 years of in-school presentation experience.

Specific Information:

€Marimba Yajalón is no longer affiliated with Young Audiences

€These presentations may be scheduled on Wednesday mornings, or anytime on most Fridays.

€Special evening presentations as well as extended day sessions may be scheduled. Call Marimba Yajalón at 235-2950 to arrange a presentation.

Here is the Beta prototype version of the WWW site we will be using with schools during the 2002-03 academic year: Música Mexicana: On both sides of the border

What a wonderful opportunity for students to discover Mexican music through text, photos, audio, and video technology which is at their fingertips.

Technical information:

Marimba Yajalón requires no special equipment--the program is self-contained (including rear view projection system, and a powerful digital sound reproduction unit).

Cost: Single 45-minute presentation, $425.00. Double presentation (two @ 45 minutes-scheduled consecutively with a 15 minute break in-between) $525.00. Prices include preview materials and post-program assessment tools.