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Fully Funded

Mr. Powers's classroom raised $280

Our Drum Circle Is In Need Of A Really Big Heart!

My students need one large djun djun to complete a set of three, rounding out our bass sound for our authentic West African Music Unit.

Mr. Powers Lori Mann Carey Elementary

Madison, WI Grades 3-5

My Students

If you were a student learning to play the djun djun bass drums for traditional West African music, wouldn't you like to develop your skills on the actual instrument? Currently, my students are using 5-gallon water jugs and buckets to stand in for "authentic, traditional" West African Instruments.

Our students are curious about world music and cultures and enjoy a hands on approach to learning and creating music in our school.

I serve two schools that are housed within one building. Two music teachers team-teach the 675 kids and see them two times per week for 30-minutes each time. The kids are K-5 and come from diverse backgrounds. We have a high percentage of low-income families and also we are a 70% minority population school. One school is a traditional elementary school while the other is a bi-lingual immersion public charter school.

My Project

Djun-djuns provide the rhythmic base for the djembe. There are wide variations on how the djun-djun is played throughout West Africa. For example, in Mali they sometimes play with just one djun-djun and a bell that is held in the hand. In some regions of Guinea the djun-djun is played with no bells, or only two or all three djun-djun are played. There are two primary playing styles for djun-djuns. The traditional style has each player using a single drum resting on its side, either on the floor or on a stand. Each player strikes the head with a stick held in one hand and a bell mounted on top with the other. For the other style, known as ballet style as it is used in the National Ballets throughout West Africa, one or more players has command of their own set of three djun-djuns standing on the floor. Playing like this allows a more complex arrangement for the dance. A djun-djun player is called a djundjunfola or "one who gives voice to the djun-djun."

These are not just drums, they will help students understand West African music and heritage while also learning a small amount of the Susu language.

Students and family members utilizing these instruments will be able to relate to community music making and improvisation through the power of music. Thank you so much for your consideration in support of cross-cultural acceptance and community building. We look forward to sending you pictures of your instrument in action or having you join us!

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Nearly all students from low‑income households

325 students impacted 6 donors

Project tagged as

Madison, WI
Grades 3-5
Music
History & Geography
Other
Nearly all students from low‑income households

Mr. Powers Lori Mann Carey Elementary Grades 3-5

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Madison, WI View local requests

Nearly all students from low‑income households Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more

325 students impacted 6donors

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Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total

Freestyle Djun Djun with Beaters • Woodwind & Brasswind $199.99 1 $199.99

Materials cost			$199.99
Vendor shipping charges			FREE
Sales tax			$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee			$3.00
Fulfillment labor & materials			$35.00
Total project cost			$237.99
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			$42.00
Total project goal			$279.99
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal			$279.99
3 Donors			-$202.00
Donations toward project cost			-$171.70
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$30.30
match offer			-$77.99
Match offer toward project cost			-$66.29
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms			-$11.70
Still needed View calculation Hide calculation			$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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This teacher needs your help!

Our Drum Circle Is In Need Of A Really Big Heart!

My Students

My Project

Project tagged as

Boost your odds

Top rated for efficiency and transparency.

TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

Where Your Donation Goes

Where your donation goes

How we calculate what's needed

Project Activity

Project Activity

DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.