Percussionist John Arrucci recently spent a three-day residency in Brewster schools. He made presentations about different percussion instruments from around the world and held workshops with high school musicians.
A professional percussionist, recording artist, and expert in percussion practices from all over the world, Arrucci shared a wealth of knowledge with students. When meeting with third graders from CV Starr Intermediate School, he started out by introducing students to the shekere: an instrument that originates in Nigeria.
Arrucci explained to students that instruments started out as objects that were used around the house. The shekere, which is a dried-out gourd covered in macramé, was originally used to hold water. The one that he played for students was one that he made out of a squash in 1983.
“My passion for music led me to learn about math, science, language, history and geography,” Arrucci told students before showing them just how diverse percussion instruments are. He demonstrated how to play the steel pan, the lion’s roar and more while giving students the history behind each of the instruments and the people who created them.
While giving younger students a broad overview of percussion instruments, Arrucci concentrated on specifics when working with older students. He spent a class period working with Andrea Perdicho's percussion students, for example, demonstrating proper technique and the musical variations each percussion instrument can perform.
“Students really enjoyed being a part of such an exciting and fast-paced percussion ensemble,” said Patricia Taylor, the district’s K – 12 Performing Arts Coordinator. “It has been an awesome three days having him in the district!”
Arrucci also conducted an improvisation workshop with Taylor’s Chamber Singers, an all-girls select ensemble. After talking about listening to each other and risk taking, he led students in creating pieces of music spontaneously by improvising their own melodies and rhythms. By the end of the 40-minute class, students had completely improvised and performed five different pieces.
So many of the critical skills the district works to have all graduates master were at play during Arrucci’s workshops: collaboration as students worked together to create musical pieces, adaptability as they were given instruments to play that they might have never heard of before, and perseverance while they kept working until they got it right.
Arrucci’s visit was arranged through the Arts in Education program at Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES.