Drumming Up The Fun
Date
July 6-July 10, 2026
Off Campus
Roosevelt Elementary School, Dickinson, ND
Course Code
6036B
Credits
3
Tuition
$350
Course Description
This workshop is intended for early childhood and early elementary classroom and music educators, introducing modifications to the World Music Drumming curriculum. The workshop provides participants with ready-to-use drumming activities for preK-grade 2 and the skills and practice to create even more activities for your classroom. It explores a variety of World Music Drumming ensembles in their original versions, then modifies them for children ages 3-8 combining familiar songs and chants. Taught by Melissa Blum, this class also focuses on sound stories — a medium for introducing young children to playing techniques, improvisation skills, and respect for drums, world percussion, and other small percussion instruments. No text required.
https://www.worldmusicdrumming.com/july-6-10-dickinson-nd
Instructor
Joe Koppel serves as the Coordinator of MECA (Music Education Center for America) Continuing Education program at VanderCook College of Music. Joe is a proud alumnus of VanderCook College of Music, graduating with his Masters Degree in Music Education in 2001. Joe earned his Type 75 Administrative Certification from North Central College in 2008.
Joe Koppel has been the Director of Bands at Jackson Middle School in Villa Park since 1998, teaching grades 4-8. He directs the Jackson Area Preparatory and Intermediate Bands, the Jackson Concert and Symphonic Bands, and the Jackson Jazz Lab. Under his direction, the Jackson Symphonic Band has consistently earned Division I ratings at District and State Level Contests. In 2012 the Jackson Symphonic Band was chosen to perform at the prestigious University of Illinois SuperState Band Festival and in 2015 was designated ‘Honors’ Status at IGSMA State Festival.
Joe was chosen by his peers in 2023 as a Quinlan and Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator (COMEA). In addition, Joe earned the Cloyd Myers Memorial Award for outstanding service to the Illinois Grade School Music Association in 2023. He currently serves as the IGSMA District VII CoChair and the ILMEA District 9 Jr. Band Representative.