KINGSTON — There was less sheet music and more deerskin in one of the latest projects at Wolfle Elementary School.
With custom drums in hand, fifth-graders performed in time with Port Gamble S’Klallam member Joe Price and Wolfle music instructor Michael McCurdy May 20 in the school’s music room. The traditional drums are part of McCurdy’s effort to help his students understand the culture of their S’Klallam neighbors, and learn music in a less school-structured way.
“I want to celebrate the culture of the kids who go to school here,” McCurdy said.
Fifty-five of the schools 341 students — or 16 percent — were listed as Native American in October 2012, according to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The majority of those students are Port Gamble S’Klallam, McCurdy said.
Because students from the Tribe are already familiar with S’Klallam customs, including songs and dances, the drum project isn’t so much about education as it is a source of pride.
“They puff up and get into it,” McCurdy said.
For those students who may not know much about their neighbors, it gives them a hands-on learning opportunity. It allows the students to acknowledge the Tribe, McCurdy said.
The drum kits were purchased with money from a Tribe X grant from the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. McCurdy purchased the kits at Harts Lake Trading Post in Roy.
Though the hides — which become the drum skin — were already pre-punched with holes, McCurdy and the class did the rest.
The hides were first soaked in water in a ventilated area of the school.
Wolfle students have done the project once before, and McCurdy learned his lesson on where to properly soak hides. A master bathroom is not the correct place, he said.
After soaking, the hides are stretched over the drum frame and attached by stringing together the base of the drum. Completed drums are then left to dry.
McCurdy invited S’Klallam member Jeffrey Veregge in to help the class decorate their drums once the drums dried. Veregge, a graduate of Wolfle, helped the students brainstorm their own designs and brought a few templates. Veregge’s art combines Salish form-line design, with comic book art.
The students used acrylic paint to complete their drums.
But the drum project went beyond just creating the traditional instruments. The students were also taught to play and sing traditional songs.
On the morning of May 20, students gathered their drums, formed a circle, and played the “Welcome Song” with Joe Price.
Learning traditional songs is different from typical sheet music. For one, there really isn’t sheet music; rather, traditional music is taught orally and by example. McCurdy did have sheet music for the “Welcome Song,” however, there are no musical notes, just the vocalization.
“It’s a different form of learning,” McCurdy said. “It’s a lot more verbal. Just a whole different approach to learning.”
Price also gave a few lessons during the song practice. For example, he told the students there is no clapping after a performance; instead, drummers and singers raise their hands in thanks. The people listening to the songs could be anywhere else, Price said, but they chose to be there instead. Raising their hands after a song is “thanking them for taking their time to be there with you,” he said.
For those familiar with McCurdy, a drum is never far from reach. Along with their custom drums, McCurdy’s music class practices on African drums as well. McCurdy is also the drummer for the local Blues Counselors band.
McCurdy recognizes the community-at-large did not always have the relationship it does now with the Tribe. The drum project was one way to continue to build that relationship.
“This is just a small part I can do to continue to improve the relationship,” he said. “And drumming is the best way I can do that.”
Students will perform what they have learned on their drums June 5 at 6 p.m. at Wolfle. There are also plans to perform June 12 for the last day of school during the recognition assembly.
