UNCA Music Department Sets Weekend of Percussion;
Grammy Award Winner RoyEl "Futureman" Wooten to Give Workshop

RoyEl "Futureman" Wooten, three-time Grammy Award winning percussionist for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, will join UNC Asheville Music Department Chair Dr. Wayne Kirby and local percussionist/vocalist Cheri Lunn for a hand drum workshop on "New Rhythmic Concepts and Techniques for Drummers" from 2-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at UNCA’s Lipinsky Hall, room 018.

During the workshop, students will learn about "rhythms of the future" as well as traditional approaches to drumming. Students may bring any percussion instruments, such as a frame drum, conga, bongo, djembe, snare drum, claves, cow bells, cabasa, shakers or tambourines -- hand clapping is also an option. Participants do not need to know how to read music. Because seating is limited, advanced registration is recommended. Fees are $20 and the class is open to students ages 11 and older.

A drum concert and drum circle will follow the workshop at 8 p.m. in UNCA’s Lipinsky Hall, room 018. Wooten, Kirby and Lunn will be joined by other special guests for an energetic performance. Audience members are invited to bring their hand-held percussion instruments to participate. The concert is open to the public and admission is $10 at the door.

The percussion events will kick off at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, when Kirby will present a talk on "New Time, New Rhythm" in UNCA’s Lipinsky Hall, room 018. He will discuss traditional views of rhythm and introduce his new theory of musical time. The event is free and open to the public. Plan to arrive early; seating is limited.

Any profits generated by these events will be used to benefit UNCA’s Music Department.

For more information or to register for the workshop, call UNCA’s Music Department at 828/251-6432 or send an e-mail.

Media Contacts:

• Dr. Wayne Kirby, UNCA Music Dept. Chair, 828/251-6487
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant, 828/251-6526