The Turtle Lake African Music Ensemble (AME) is a nationally recognized performing group comprised of highly dedicated and focused 4th and 5th grade students. Due to the limited number of instruments and the complexities of this genre of music, entrance is by audition only. The students play authentic handmade drums and percussion instruments from Ghana, as well as African xylophones called Gyils.
The African Chorus is open to all 3rd-5th grade students without audition. They perform a genre called Adenkum, which consists of playing calabash gourds to accompany songs in two-part harmony. The chorus also sings many other songs in harmony, using 3 different languages from Ghana.
The AME & Chorus rehearse and perform together as one combined group, and are both taught by Artist-in-Residence, Sowah Mensah, and Ms. Crockett.
***For performances, AME members wear authentic handmade Dashiki shirts from Ghana and black pants with black shoes. Chorus members wear black pants and black shirts.
The African Chorus is open to all 3rd-5th grade students without audition. They perform a genre called Adenkum, which consists of playing calabash gourds to accompany songs in two-part harmony. The chorus also sings many other songs in harmony, using 3 different languages from Ghana.
The AME & Chorus rehearse and perform together as one combined group, and are both taught by Artist-in-Residence, Sowah Mensah, and Ms. Crockett.
***For performances, AME members wear authentic handmade Dashiki shirts from Ghana and black pants with black shoes. Chorus members wear black pants and black shirts.