African Music and Dance Performance This course will introduce students to various techniques of performing East African (primarily Ugandan) musical and dance traditions through regular rehearsals, culminating in an end-of-semester concert. As an ensemble, we will learn and master how to play and sing/dance to bow-harps, thumb-pianos, xylophones, tube-fiddles, bowl-lyres, gourd shakers, struck gourds, reed-box rattles, ankle bells, leg rattles, and various types of drums. Some background in performing music is recommended, but prior knowledge of performing African music and dance is not required.

Performance Lab Credit can be conferred for performance in faculty-supervised ensembles: (see listing of "Ensembles" in the requirements section). One unit of credit to accrue over two semesters (spring then fall only). The appropriate supervising faculty will give grades, based on attendance and quality of performance. A student should inform the ensemble director of intent to sign up for this course before starting, and should actually register for MUSC 0205 only the SECOND of the two terms by adding it as a fifth course. MUSC 0205 does not fulfill any major course requirements and may not be taken more than once.

Approaches to Music Inquiry  In this course we will explore various approaches to music inquiry in order to develop an in-depth understanding of diverse procedures for uncovering, applying, and producing musical knowledge. We will use a seminar format that supports a multimodal study and application of such knowledge. Course activities will include discussions, lectures, analysis, investigation, presentations, readings, writing, and creative work. The seminar will culminate in projects that advance methodologies of our senior and/or related capstone work. All music majors are required to take this course in the fall of their senior year.  3hrs. lect./disc.

Music in World Cultures In this course students will develop skills for analyzing a wide range of music styles and appreciating their social, economic, and political importance. We will explore selected case studies through readings, lectures, discussions, film screenings, listening sessions, workshops, concerts, and hands-on activities.

What in the World is Music? In this course we will explore global musical cultures in order to better understand both those musical cultures and our own in relation to one another. The course has two goals: to introduce students to unfamiliar ways of listening to and thinking about different elements of music (including – but not limited to – rhythm, melody, timbre, texture, harmony, and form); and to develop skills for appreciating cultural significances of these elements.  We will achieve these goals through readings, lectures, discussions, film screenings, listening sessions, workshops, concerts, and hands-on activities.

Damascus Kafumbe

Reviews and ratings for Damascus Kafumbe at Middlebury College.Damascus Kafumbe teaches African Music & Dance Perform, Performance Lab Performance Lab-Afropop, African Music Dance & Perform. and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Damascus Kafumbe good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

I absolutely loved this class. It was so different than any class I’ve taken before and it was very fun to learn instruments, songs, and dance. Class attendance is crucial and participation is key. If you show up and try your best, you’ll do well in this class. 

Prof. Kafumbe is easily the most knowledgeable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Additionally, he genuinely cares about his students on both a personal and academic level. While this class is heavy on the reading and writing, he is always willing to meet with students outside of class to look at drafts and discuss class work. I felt as though I grew both as a writer and as a musician in this course. This is a fantastic course to take if you have a genuine interest in non-Western music and the time to dedicate to the readings and writings.

Damascus Kafumbe is an incredibly intelligent professor. He knows a whole lot about music from all over the world, and this course will leave you knowing a little bit about a lot of different musical cultures around the world