Pieces of Eight

For drum and xylophone ensemble These eight ensemble pieces are filled with life lessons, social and cultural experiences, and are fun to play! It's all about the Drumming! Using your classroom set of drums and xylophones, you can make these pieces come to life as you teach your students to play the grooves in a unified ensemble. James shares his incredible insights and awareness of Ghanaian musical traditions to help your students learn these wonderful ensemble pieces. He draws on the influences of Dr. Will Schmid and Dr. Sowah Mensah to both write this book, and be able to share the incredible strength of a unified ensemble. This long-awaited book is a must for your musical library. About James Mader James Mader earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music Education from Florida Atlantic University in 1989. He holds a Certificate in Percussion Performance from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. James began his music education career in 1990 at Conniston Middle School in Palm Beach County, where he was band director and general music teacher. He transferred to the Broward County School system in 1991 and taught chorus at Stanahan High School (1991-92) and band at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School (1992-1998). While at Lauderdale Lakes Middle School, James was selected as one of twenty music teachers from the United States and Canada to pilot the World Music Drumming Curriculum. James was recruited to Parkway Middle School of the Arts, where he currently teaches 290+ students in seven classes a day, five days a week utilizing the World Music Drumming Curriculum to raise student’s academics and self-esteem. A significant number of these students are “at risk”. James Mader frequently serves as clinician in the implementation of the World Music Drumming Curriculum and has conducted or assisted in clinics, residencies, and workshops in multiple states throughout the country. James has presented the WMDC or his own compositions at LMEA, WMEA, OKMEA, FMEA, SDMEA, TMEA, SCMEA, LIAOSA, AOSA National Conference, and many Orff chapters throughout the U.S.A. James has authored numerous pieces of drum and xylophone ensembles that music teachers across the nation have found instrumental in developing the learning skills and test taking skills of their student ensembles through the academic study of music.